BERC may hike gas price sans internal meet

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is reportedly considering a gas price hike without holding any internal meeting about it. Apparently, it believes the hike will be “reasonable” for all kinds of customers.
Maksudur Rahman, acting chairman of the BERC, told The Independent, “BERC law allows us to do it (raise the price without holding a meeting). So, we don’t see any problem in taking a decision in this regard.”
Dr Salim Mahmud, a former member (law) of the BERC, said, “Yes, the law allows the BERC to do it, but only two members out of five can't take such a sensitive decision as the opponent could make an issue of it.”  The BERC is currently facing a quorum crisis as its chairman AR Khan left after his contract ended.
State minister for energy and power, Nasrul Hamid, yesterday held a meeting with the acting chairman of the BERC to put pressure on him to increase gas prices. 
“We’ll take a decision as soon as possible in this regard after holding a meeting with all the stakeholders. But whatever we do, the decision will be reasonable,” said Maksudur Rahman after the meeting.

However, Prof. Shamsur Rahman, an energy expert, told The Independent, “They (BERC members) can’t take such a decision without holding a commission meeting. If they take a decision, they can be dragged to the High Court.”
Section 12(4) of the Energy Regulatory Act 2003 states that at least three members are needed to hold a commission meeting. However, Section 9 of the act says that under no circumstances, including a member crisis, will the commission stop short of taking any decision.
Currently, three BERC positions—chairman, member (power), and member (law)—are vacant. The position of member (power) has been vacant for 18 months. Sources said the ministry concerned is still looking for suitable candidates. Last month, several gas distribution companies had proposed an average of 87.6 per cent price hike in sectors including domestic, power, and fertilizer. The companies had asked the BERC to increase domestic gas prices from Tk. 600 and Tk. 650 for single- and double-burner stoves  to Tk. 1,100 and Tk. 1,200, respectively—more than an 80 per cent hike.
At the hearing, consumer groups, business leaders, and representatives of different organisations and political parties had criticised the proposal.

BERC may hike gas price sans internal meet

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is reportedly considering a gas price hike without holding any internal meeting about it. Apparently, it believes the hike will be reasonable for all kinds of customers. Maksudur Rahman, acting chairman of the BERC, told The Independent, BERC law allows us to do it (raise the price without holding a meeting). So, we dont see any problem in taking a decision in this regard. Dr Salim Mahmud, a former member (law) of the BERC, said, Yes, the law allows the BERC to do it, but only two members out of five cant take such a sensitive decision as the opponent could make an issue of it. The BERC is currently facing a quorum crisis as its chairman AR Khan left after his contract ended. State minister for energy and power, Nasrul Hamid, yesterday held a meeting with the acting chairman of the BERC to put pressure on him to increase gas prices. Well take a decision as soon as possible in this regard after holding a meeting with all the stakeholders. But whatever we do, the decision will be reasonable, said Maksudur Rahman after the meeting. However, Prof. Shamsur Rahman, an energy expert, told The Independent, They (BERC members) cant take such a decision without holding a commission meeting. If they take a decision, they can be dragged to the High Court. Section 12(4) of the Energy Regulatory Act 2003 states that at least three members are needed to hold a commission meeting. However, Section 9 of the act says that under no circumstances, including a member crisis, will the commission stop short of taking any decision. Currently, three BERC positionschairman, member (power), and member (law)are vacant. The position of member (power) has been vacant for 18 months. Sources said the ministry concerned is still looking for suitable candidates. Last month, several gas distribution companies had proposed an average of 87.6 per cent price hike in sectors including domestic, power, and fertilizer. The companies had asked the BERC to increase domestic gas prices from Tk. 600 and Tk. 650 for single- and double-burner stoves to Tk. 1,100 and Tk. 1,200, respectivelymore than an 80 per cent hike. At the hearing, consumer groups, business leaders, and representatives of different organisations and political parties had criticised theproposal.