bdnews24.com Correspondent
Dhaka, June 25 (bdnews24.com)—State-owned Power Development Board (PDB) has proposed to the energy watchdog to increase the retail electricity tariff by 57 percent per unit (each kilowatt hour).
The PDB also urged Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to make the proposed rate effective from July 1.
BERC member Selim Mahmud told bdnews24.com on Monday that the final decision on the power tariff would be made after holding an open meeting and a public hearing.
He also said besides the PDB, four power-distribution companies have proposed a 55 percent increase per unit on average in the retail power tariff.
The companies are Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (DESCO), Rural Electrification Board (REB) and West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZOPDCO).
On June 6, the PDB proposed to the BERC to raise electricity tariff at bulk level by 50 percent per unit. The PDB officials had said at the time that the retail power tariff needed a 30 percent raise.
The PDB in the latest proposal asked the BERC to fix the outer limit bar for lifeline tariff or compulsory minimum charge for residential consumers from 100 units to 60 units to tide over government's losses.
Bulk and retail power prices were hiked only on Mar 29 by Tk 0.28 and Tk 0.30 per unit respectively with teroactive effect from Mar 1.
Both the bulk and retail power tariffs have been increased twice this year.
State-run Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) on May 24 wrote to the energy watchdog to increase gas prices, except at the domestic consumer level.
bdnews24.com/arr/skb/bd/1730h
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