Power tariff hike won't hurt people

Terming the power tariff hike negligible, Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury yesterday said the new tariff would not hurt people.

He made the remark while talking to journalists after attending a programme at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital, reports UNB.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised the retail power tariff on its own consideration, he said.

Replying to a question, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said consumers using 200 units of power would have to pay Tk 20-25 more per month and its effect on customers is tolerable.

The BERC on an average raised the retail power tariff by 5.3 percent or Tk 0.35 per unit.

At present, average per unit cost of electricity at the retail level is Tk 6.49. After the hike, it will go up to Tk 6.84 per unit.

This is the eighth retail power tariff hike in the last eight years with the previous one in September 2015.

The new tariff will come into effect from December 1, said BERC Chairman Monowar Islam at his office on Thursday.

The price was hiked to meet the revenue requirement of power distributors.

Consumers, rights groups and businesses expressed disappointment over the decision.

Meanwhile, left-leaning political parties called for a half-day hartal across the country on November 30, protesting the hike.