Two-slab power tariff hike not a violation of BERC Act

Manjurul Ahsan

REVISION of power tariff twice or in two slabs within a year does not constitute a violation of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, says the chairman of the commission, Yusuf Hossain.

The commission on February 8 announced an increase in bulk rate of electricity, to take effect in two phases, whereas the BERC Act specifically says the commission will fix price of a particular item once a year.

'I do not think that it was a violation of the law,' Yusuf said in an interview with New Age on Tuesday. 'In February, the commission increased bulk rate of power once for this year. But to reduce the effect on the economy of a massive price hike of power by 18 per cent at a time the commission divided it into two parts.'

Read the original story on the daily New Age