The interests of the people are at stake. The hike in electricity prices will be effective from January 1

The Dhaka Times Desk Although all the proposals of the five distribution companies presented to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) are flawed, yet another round of electricity price increases at the consumer level will be implemented from January 1, according to BERC's reliable sources.

Experts say that after its establishment, BERC ensured one thing, even if it did not see the interest of the people, and that is to help the government to increase the prices at wholesale and retail level. According to them, the main function of the commission is to help improve efficiency and protect the interests of buyers. But not even once did they question, in whose interest are the steps taken in power generation why small power plants are gradually being installed instead of big power plants why production cost is increasing why system loss during power transmission is more than other countries why rental quick-rental period is being extended what is the power department doing and When these failures will be controlled, everyone's questions are now, but the commission only increases the prices.

It is known that no big power plant has been installed since 1996. As a result, since 1996, the cost of electricity production has gradually increased. Although the government changed in 2001, there was no change in this system. It was only in 2005 that the government took the initiative to launch even smaller 10MW power generation plants on rent. At present, out of 81 power plants, 27 are small plants with a total output of not more than 150 MW. As a result, the average production cost of electricity has increased. Moreover, in 1991, there were major changes in the power sector under the energy policy. First Desa in 1991, then Desco. PGCB in 1996, Ashuganj Power Station Company in 2001, West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited in 2003, thus power department gradually became a separate organization. Two successive governments maintained the same rule in this regard. Corruption has increased to a great extent as the generation, distribution and transmission divisions of the power sector have been converted into separate companies. Before the increase in the efficiency of these companies, the salaries and allowances of the officers and employees have almost doubled. This is also one of the reasons for increasing the cost of production. But BERC has no accountability or action in these matters. They are only active in raising prices. Moreover, BERC changes the electricity bill every month. Sometimes the monthly rate of electricity bill is 1, sometimes 4, sometimes 6. It is creating a lot of fog. As a result, even using the same electricity, customers do not understand why the bill is increasing.

According to BERC sources, the public hearing on the proposal of five power distribution companies was concluded in BERC recently. BERC has identified more or less faults in every company. Moreover, there has been strong objection and opposition to the price hike from residential, commercial and industrial customers. Among them, representatives of CAB, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), BKMEA, CPB, Workers' Party attended the public hearing and spoke against the price hike. Although several organizations including CAB, FBCCI and BASAD have objected in writing about the price increase, BERC is completing all preparations to increase the price for the 7th time. And this price will be effective from January 1. BERC's technical evaluation team said in a public hearing on the 9 percent rate hike proposal of the Sri Lanka Electrification Board (REB) held on December 27, that there are many flaws in the proposal. Which should be revised and submitted to BERC by December 31.

A public hearing on the proposal of the Power Development Board (PDB) and Western Power Distribution Company (Ojopadico) was held on Sunday, December 30. BERC's Technical Appraisal Team opined that the price increase proposed by the two companies may need to be increased by 4.84 percent due to similar defects.

On the morning of December 31, a public hearing was held on the Dhaka Electricity Distribution Company (DESCO) proposal. Desco proposes to increase prices by 11.69 percent. But based on the data presented by them, BERC's evaluation team report said that an increase of 3.30 percent may be required. After the hearing, BERC has asked DESCO to submit revised information by January 3 to correct the errors.

A public hearing on the proposal of Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) was held in the afternoon of the same day. DPDC has proposed a price hike of 11.31 percent. But based on the data provided by them, the assessment team of BERC may need to increase by 3.65 percent. In most of the public hearings, the companies could not respond directly. Because of this, BERC has given them an opportunity to submit amendments within a certain period of time after the hearing. But whatever the amendment, electricity prices will go up and will be effective from January 1, a BERC source confirmed.

If the price is increased this time, it will be the seventh time under the current government. The retail price of electricity has been increased by 43.75 percent so far during the 4-year rule of this government. As a result, the average price of electricity per unit at the consumer level increased from 4 taka to 5 taka 75 paisa. Last September 1, the price of electricity was increased for the sixth time.

# The picture of electricity price increase during the current government is:

# 1 March 2010 : 5 percent at customer level.

# 1 February 2011 : Wholesale 11 percent and consumer level 5 percent.

# 1 August 2011 : Wholesale 6.66 percent.

# 1 December 2011 : Wholesale 16.79 percent and consumer level 13.25 percent.

# 1 February 2012 : Wholesale 14.37 percent and consumer level 7.09 percent.

# 1 September 2012 : Wholesale 16.92% and consumer level 15%.

Electricity and energy expert and former director general of Power Cell BD Rahmat Ulsnah said that there is no justification for increasing the price of electricity in the current situation. Due to wrong policy of rental, quick-rental, electricity prices are increasing again and again. And the responsibility of this wrong policy of the government is being put on the shoulders of the people. If the big power plants were repaired by spending only 1000 crore rupees, it would have been possible to generate much more electricity.

Professor Anu Muhammad said, BERC has taken a stand against the people by running on people's money. They have opened shops to raise prices. They don't need any. If they had any shame, they would have taken a stand against the wrong policy of the government without increasing the price of electricity.

Cab Energy Advisor Professor Shamsul Alam said that BERC does not listen to consumers. So there is no need for public hearing. They will increase the price. So keep raising the price. If this continues, the price of electricity will increase every 3 months during the tenure of the current government. (Courtesy: Daily Our Time).