Hike in retail power tariff less than developed countries: Info Minister

The electricity tariff in Bangladesh hiked by 5 percent at the retail level is still less than that in many developed countries, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud today.

A slight increase in electricity tariff is proposed to adjust the subsidy borne by the government, he told the reporters at Rajshahi Circuit House.

"Our government is counting thousands of crores in subsidies for the power sector so that the people do not suffer and can get electricity at a cheap price."

Rising fuel prices in Europe and the UK are driving electricity rationing, driving up prices. But in Bangladesh, the price has not been increased in that way as the power sector is still dependent on fossil fuels, he said.

The government has raised the electricity tariff by 5 percent at the retail level that will be effective from January 1.

Now the average tariff for all consumers will go up by Tk 0.36 to Tk 7.49 from Tk 7.13, the Power Division said in a press statement yesterday.