Gas, power: Ordinance to adjust price wihout hearing placed

The "Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Ordinance, 2022" was placed in parliament yesterday, paving the way for the government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity without public hearing.

President Abdul Hamid promulgated the ordinance on December 1 last year amending the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003 as parliament was not in session at that time.

The law ministry issued a gazette on the same day announcing the amendment that allows the government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity.

Previously, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources used to adjust the prices of fuel including diesel, octane, kerosene and petrol without any public hearing. But, the prices of gas and electricity were adjusted by the BERC through public hearing.

With the amendment of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources will not be required to hold a hearing to decide new prices for gas and electricity.

The BERC is an autonomous body based on the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Act 2003, aiming at improving power and energy infrastructure in Bangladesh. The law was amended thrice in the past.

The cabinet on November 28 approved an amendment to the BERC Ordinance 2022 to empower the government to set fuel tariff on its own under special circumstances without waiting for the commission's public hearing and decision.