The interim government has issued a gazette on Tuesday amending Section 34 (a) of the Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act 2003, which brings back the public hearing system to fix the prices of electricity and gas, which the Awami League led government scrapped earlier.
In January, 2023, the Awami League government amended Section 34 (a) of the Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act 2003, which empowered the government to fix, re-fix or adjust electricity and gas tariffs.
However, from now and on the government will go back to the old method of fixing electricity and gas prices through hearings by the BERC.
Earlier, in his maiden meeting with the reporters, On 18 August, Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, told reporters that if necessary prices will again be set through public hearings held by the BERC.
"We will not raise prices unless we are forced to. If necessary, the commission will talk to everyone and take a decision following the policy," he added.
He also directed the Power Development Board (BPDB) to submit a position paper on the financial and economic state of the state-owned entity within the next seven working days.
It also suggested the government change the power and energy procurement policy and start negotiations with the private power producers to re-fix their tariffs and introduce "no electricity, no payment" policy to avoid the extra burden "capacity charge."
2003.
The order said, through this amendment, mass people's participation in fixing tariff would be ensured along with the stakeholder's participation along with the transparency and accountability of the utility agencies financial books.
Meanwhile, in his maiden meeting with the reporters, on August 18, Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, told reporters that if necessary prices will again be set through public hearings held by the BERC.
"We will not raise prices unless we are forced to. If necessary, the commission will talk to everyone and take a decision following the policy," he added.