Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The latest power tariff hike will contribute to a significant rise in commodity price leading to an adverse impact on consumers.
The rise would result in cost of production to supply chain management, according to Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
Terming the power tariff hike ‘illogical,’ the consumer rights group on Friday threatened to move for a legal battle challenging the government decision.
“The hike in electricity tariff will add to the woes of ordinary people who have already hit by rising commodity prices,” Prof Shamsul Alam, an Adviser of CAB, told The New Nation on Friday.
Referring to a CAB study, he said, prices of commodity specially rice will go up significantly as a chain effect of the power tariff hike. “The hike will have tremendous affect on millions of consumers as well as detrimental impact on trade, business and industries,” he added.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Thursday announced an average 5.3 per cent rise in retail electricity tariff in defiance of an objection from industry bodies and consumer rights groups.
They said the government move was unjustified when it has options to cut the electricity tariffs. Mismanagement and corruption by power distribution companies forced the government to raise power tariff.
“The government has to give relief to the people by overhauling electricity tariffs in line with the falling oil prices. But, instead of this, it goes for another hike putting further pressure on them,” added Prof Shamsul Alam.
CAB earlier proposed for reducing the power tariff taking different measures.
Terming power tariff hike ‘anti-people’ and ‘arbitrary,’ the CAB adviser said the Association will move the court challenging the hike by the BERC.
Prof Dr Shamsul Alam said they have been pursuing at the administrative level to ensure ‘justice’ over power and gas tariffs. We will move the court to seek a remedy to the unjust, unfair and illegal order of the BERC.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said that the new
tariff would not affect public life.
“The hike is negligible so it would not affect public life,” he said while talking to reporters on Friday after attending a programme at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said consumers who use 200 units power have to pay Tk 20 to Tk 25 more per month and its effect on customers is tolerable.
