Additional power tariffs withdrawn for low-income residents

The energy regulator has withdrawn this month’s power price hike for residential use of up to 75 units per month, following a plea submitted by the Power Division in this regard.

On Thursday, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the withdrawal in a notification.

As per norms, the decision would affect the low-income and lower-middle-income households.

On Wednesday, the BERC announced that the lowest slab of residential users, who consume maximum 50 units every month, has to pay additional Tk0.69 per unit, raising the rate to Tk5.32. Furthermore, consumers in the next slab of 0-75 units have to pay additional Tk0.92 per unit, raising the rate to Tk6.18.

The tariffs hike was expected amid the global fuel supply disruption caused by the Iran war.

On Thursday, the Power Development Board of the Power Division submitted a plea to BERC, requesting the withdrawal of the additional charge on low-income and lower-middle-income households on humanitarian grounds.

In a press release, the Power Division said the revised retail electricity tariff announced by the regulator did not reflect the proposal submitted by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for exempting marginal or lifeline consumers.