‘Government has no relation with electricity price hike’

Energy Advisor to the Prime Minister Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has said, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised electricity price according to its own consideration and the government has no connection in this regard.

He said to the newsmen while answering questions after the inauguration program of a two day workshop of Sector Leaders at the Biddut Bhaban on Friday.

Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said, the price which was raised is very minimum and simple matter; I don’t think this will affect the public life.

He said, though the price of electricity was raised but the government has to subsidize about 4 thousand crore taka. Government does not say it subsidy rather it is said as an investment for socio economic development for the people.

After the same program State Minister for Energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu said, subscribers who uses up to 200 units have to pay extra 20 to 25 taka bill per month from now. The hike of electricity price will not be more than 5 percent on average.

He also said, it is not a big one. But there may be some affect in the subscriber level. I think it is tolerable.

BERC said about their decision to raise electricity price by 35 paisa per unit or 5.3 percent through a press conference on Thursday. The price hike will be effective from December.

AH/MK