Power Development Board (PDB) and West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDC) on Tuesday proposed increase of electricity tariff by 15.50 percent and 8.59 percent respectively to help them cut growing losses.
To so this, the technical committee of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) said, the regulators might consider 6.66 percent rise, on average, for PDB customers, and 7.51 percent for WZPDC customers. But consumer rights groups and a number of left-leaning political parties outright rejected the power hike process during a public hearing at the BERC in the capital. The final decision on increase of the power tariff may be taken later this month.
There will be public hearing on the proposal of Dhaka Power Distribution Company and Dhaka Electric Supply Company on Wednesday and that of Rural Electrification Board on Thursday.
In September 2012, the BERC last increased the retail power tariff by 15 percent i.e. Tk 5.75 per unit amid opposition from consumers and rights groups.
This was the fifth increase in retail power tariff since the Awami League government assumed office in 2009. From February 2011, the Commission raised retail tariff by 43.75 percent i.e. Tk 5.75 a unit from Tk 4 a unit.
The government has already given a nod to the Energy Ministry’s process to increase the price for cutting subsidies.
