HC issues rule against gas, power tariff hike
UNB
The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the hike in gas and power prices would not be declared illegal, reports UNB. An HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB). It asked the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to respond to the rule.
Advocate Md Saiful Alam, who stood for the petitioner, said on August 27 CAB filed two pleas to the BERC to reconsider the decision of gas and power price hike. But, the decision was not withdrawn and that is why they filed the writ petition with the HC, he said.
As per the rule, Alam said, the decision of power or gas price hike has to be taken within 90 days of a public hearing on the hike proposal. But, in this case, the decision was taken after seven months of public hearing.
The court also issued another rule asking to explain why the indifference of the BERC regarding the CAB pleas would not be declared illegal.
Deputy Attorney General Mukhlesur Rahman stood for the state during the hearing.
The government raised the gas price and power tariff by 2.93 percent and 26.29 percent respectively on average at the consumer level with effect from September 1.
