DHAKA: The consumers’ interest is not considered during the power price hike, opined Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Energy affairs adviser professor M Shamsul Alam.

The CAB adviser came up with the comment in reply to a question taking part in “Public Opinion” on power price hike arranged by banglanews Wednesday.

Tanvir Siddiquie from Banani of the city a question: “General people bear the burden of government subsidies to the quick rentals after it failed to set up gas or coal-fired power plants.  Again, consumers have to pay more money for electricity consumption. Why do the citizens would have to carry responsibilities from both sides?”

Replying to the question, Professor Alam said Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission takes the decision of the price hike and they bear all the responsibilities in this regard.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail power tariff as a strategy to decrease the deficit in power sector, he added.

The BERC Act tells about to protect the consumers’ interest in during price hike and prevent irregularities by subsidizing and those are not followed, said the professor.

No rules related to the consumers’ interest are properly executed; so, the authorities’ failures in their responsibilities go to the people, he added.

BERC has increased the retail power tariff by 6.96% per unit (kilowatt-hour) on an average, with the price rising from Tk5.75 to Tk6.15; a price hike of Tk0.40.

The new tariff – which was announced without introducing any subsidy – will come into effect from the current billing month.

BDST: 1242 HRS, MAR 19, 2014