Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has once again been given the authority to fix gas and electricity prices.
As a result, gas and electricity prices cannot be increased without a public hearing.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette in this regard on Tuesday.
According to the notification, BERC issued an ordinance repealing Act 34(a) in 2022. Henceforth, it shall be known as “Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (Amendment) Ordinance-2024”, the notification added. As per Section 34(a) of this Act, the power to fix, re-fix or adjust the tariff was vested with the government. As this clause has been abolished, the government will no longer be able to determine the price of electricity and gas without a public hearing.
The decision for the change was made during a meeting of the advisory committee last Thursday.
An official of BERC said that due to the amendment, the price of electricity and gas will be fixed by BERC through a public hearing.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act was first enacted in 2003 to manage electricity production, gas, and petroleum products, determine tariffs, protect consumer interests, and create a competitive market. The Act has been amended in 2005, 2010, 2020, and 2023. Previously, Section 34 was added to the Act, granting the government the power to set or adjust tariffs.
