CAB urges govt to cut power price

Speakers at a seminar have proposed to slash the electricity tariff by Tk 0.28, citing the complexity of the government policy in power sector. They have also described the proposed price hike as illogical.  They were speaking at a seminar organised by the Consumers' Association of Bangladesh at Bidyut Bhavan in Dhaka yesterday.

Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, addressed the seminar as chief guest, while CAB chairman Golam Rahman presided over it.

Prof. M Shamsul Alam, energy adviser at the CAB, said the public hearing conducted by the CAB has seen the proposal to reduce the price of electricity. If subsidy had not been given in the 2017–18 financial year, the revenue deficit would have been Tk 0.57 per unit for wholesale electricity sale and Tk 0.29 per unit for distribution, he added.

“We’ve calculated that it is possible to reduce the price of electricity. But the PDB has been working to raise the price artificially. If our 15-point recommendation is followed, the power sector will earn profits,” said Shamsul Alam.

Nasrul Hamid assured the CAB that the government would consider its suggestions while formulating the power policy. He also explained the government's work in the power sector.

M Tamim, adviser to a former caretaker government, said the price of fuel oil had dropped in the international market and it is possible to slash the price of electricity by adjusting the price between fuel oil and electricity.

CAB urges govt to cut power price

Speakers at a seminar have proposed to slash the electricity tariff by Tk 0.28, citing the complexity of the government policy in power sector. They have also described the proposed price hike as illogical. They were speaking at a seminar organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh at Bidyut Bhavan in Dhaka yesterday. Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, addressed the seminar as chief guest, while CAB chairman Golam Rahman presided over it. Prof. M Shamsul Alam, energy adviser at the CAB, said the public hearing conducted by the CAB has seen the proposal to reduce the price of electricity. If subsidy had not been given in the 201718 financial year, the revenue deficit would have been Tk 0.57 per unit for wholesale electricity sale and Tk 0.29 per unit for distribution, he added. Weve calculated that it is possible to reduce the price of electricity. But the PDB has been working to raise the price artificially. If our 15-point recommendation is followed, the power sector will earn profits, said Shamsul Alam. Nasrul Hamid assured the CAB that the government would consider its suggestions while formulating the power policy. He also explained the governments work in the power sector. M Tamim, adviser to a former caretaker government, said the price of fuel oil had dropped in the international market and it is possible to slash the price of electricity by adjusting the price between fuel oil and electricity.