65% people spared from power tariff hike - Says info minister

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon yesterday said
the government kept 65 percent of the country’s marginal consumers outside the
electricity price hike, considering the global energy crisis and domestic
realities.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission raised
electricity prices at three levels, wholesale, transmission and retail, last
Wednesday. The new rates will take effect with the June bill.
Speaking at the Secretariat, Swapon said although BERC
raised electricity prices for all consumers, the government appealed to ensure
that prices were not increased for marginal consumers who use up to 75 units of
electricity.
Consumers within this limit will continue to pay
electricity bills at the previous rates, he said. “If there had been a
proper policy for energy resource extraction over the past 20 years, we would
not have to be so import-dependent now,” he added.
He also said the government has taken initiatives for
domestic gas exploration and offshore bidding, while also giving priority to
solar and renewable energy production.
Responding to a question, Prime Minister’s Information
and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the electricity price
hike would naturally have some impact on the prices of goods manufactured in
industries and factories.
At the same time, the government is expanding support
for people through various social safety net programmes, which would bring some
relief, he said.
















