DHAKA: Though the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission is an independent body, the government’s conflicts of the interest are involved into it.

Dr Salim Mahmud, a member of BERC, came up with observation in reply to a question taking part “Public Opinion” program on power price hike arranged by banglanews Wednesday, happening now.

A reader, Moniruzzamanm, put a question “who controls the price hike of electricity?  

In reply to the query, Dr Salim Mahmud said government should decide on the politically important issues. As there remains conflict of interests between government and private companies, so independent body BERC, outside the government, should take the decision on the issue, the commission member added.

Salim said although the decision of increasing price is controlled by the regulatory commission; so, it entails the interest of government and people, and both of them are considered in case of price hike.

BDST: 1345 HRS, MAR 19, 2014