DHAKA: Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Tuesday recommended considering increasing retail tariff by 6.66 percent on average for PDB customers and 7.51 percent for WZPDC customers.

Earlier in the day, Power Development Board (PDB) and West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDC) proposed increasing electricity tariff by 15.50 percent and 8.59 percent respectively to cut growing losses.

Meanwhile, 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 city.

The final decision on increasing the power tariff could be effective later this month.
   
In September 2012, the BERC last increased the retail power tariff by 15 percent to Tk 5.75 per unit.

The government has already given a nod to the energy ministry`s move to increase the price for cutting subsidies.

BDST: 1950 HRS, MAR 04, 2014