Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said despite the recent hike in the price of electricity in Bangladesh, the power tariff is still lower than in many other countries.
"The increase in electricity price has exceeded 100% in the United Kingdom. It (price) has increased by 20-100% in European Union countries . . . It is 21% in Germany and 95% in Belgium. In this context, the increase in electricity prices in our country is comparatively low. The tariff has increased twice by 5% recently," he said replying to reporters while exchanging views with them in the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat.
Hasan said the per unit price of electricity in Bangladesh is Tk7.32, compared to Tk11.15 in Delhi, Tk11.33 in Maharashtra and Tk8.63 in Punjab of India, Tk18.31 in the US, Tk41.93 in Germany, Tk46.46 in Belgium, and Tk25.74 in Japan.
"The price of electricity is less in Bangladesh than in other countries, and even states of India,” he added.
He said there is inflation all across the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The inflation rate in European Union countries is more than 10% while it has crossed 20-22% in some countries.
The overall inflation rate has exceeded 10% in the UK while it is 11.8% in Russia, 60% in Turkey (it was 80% a few days ago) and 32% in Pakistan, he added.
"But, the inflation rate is 8.3% in our country. And it (inflation) is less than in many developed nations and even our neighbouring countries," said Hasan.
But, he said, leaders of the opposition BNP are trying to create confusion among the people by hiding the real scenario prevalent across the world. They are even trying to raise an allegation of corruption regarding the price hike of electricity, he added.
The ruling party leader said the country became a champion in corruption five consecutive times during the tenure of the BNP, and Begum Khaleda Zia was convicted for corruption and consequently she was sent to jail.
He said Begum Zia is now out of prison and staying at home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown her unprecedented generosity. Besides, the party's acting chairman is also convicted of corruption and siphoning off money, he added.
"People laugh when they (BNP) talk about corruption," said Hasan.