The consumer rights organization Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at a press conference has demanded the suspension of the hearing on the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC)'s decision to increase gas prices in the industrial sector.
If this demand is not met, the organization will participate in the hearing and protest, warned CAB at the press conference at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in the city on Saturday.
CAB General Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan delivered the opening remarks at the press conference. CAB Energy Adviser M Shamsul Alam read out the written statement.
Alamgir Kabir, general secretary of Bangladesh Environmental Movement (Bapa), was also present at the time.
Calling for a reduction in the price of oil, gas and electricity, CAB's Energy Adviser Professor Shamsul Alam said in the written statement: "The existing financial deficit in gas is about Tk20,000 crore per year and it has been proposed to increase the current price of gas used in promised and potentially industrial and captive power from Tk30 to Tk75.”
He added: “This proposal is in conflict with Section 22 and Section 34 of the BERC Act and the spirit of the July-August Revolution.”
The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) requested on behalf of consumers a postponement of the hearing and subsequent activities on the proposal to increase gas prices.
Mentioning that there has been no change in the consciousness and ideas of the government and BERC, Alam said: “It is true that the previous government fell in the face of a mass uprising.”
He added: “But it is very regrettable that although events like mass uprisings and deaths have changed the state, they have not brought about any change in the areas under discussion. The ministry and BERC have not been able to bring about qualitative change.”
For example, although the current government has repealed Section 34 A of the Special Provisions Act and the BERC Act, the sentence "Until regulations are made by the Commission, the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, determine, re-determine or adjust the tariff" in the law has not been repealed.
As a result, the ministry continues to fix the price of liquid fuel. Even though the Special Provisions Act, 2010 was repealed through an ordinance, all the wrongful and criminal activities that were carried out under that act have been protected by adding Articles 2(b) and 2(c).
The people have been deceived by this. As a result, it can be said that there has been no change in the consciousness and concept of the government and BERC. The looting has remained protected.
No work has been done on the proposed electricity and energy reforms. BERC's predatory spending and pricing.
The government did not take any initiative to control the situation. It did not even give any advice to the government.
Rather, the public notice published on February 6 shows that the existing, promised and potential prices of natural gas in the industrial and captive categories of Jalalabad, Paschimchanchal, Sundarbans and Karnaphuli gas distribution companies have been increased.
Proposal to increase consumer gas prices
BERC is also organizing a day-long hearing on February 26. This means that the process of increasing gas prices has started. Later, the pricing of electricity will also be started.
Responding to journalists' questions, CAB's energy adviser Shamsul Alam said: "BERC has called a hearing on the price increase instead of rejecting the gas price increase application. They are sitting in a direct hearing without calling an open meeting to judge the rationality of the price increase.”
He added: “This is not protecting consumer rights. BERC is providing convenient protection instead of preventing the issues that need to be prevented. If this continues, BERC will become a public enemy."
CAB's three suggestions to BERC
It was informed at the press conference that on February 13, CAB specifically requested the BERC chairman to determine the amount of adjustment made to the unjust, unreasonable and predatory expenditure in the supply of energy, i.e. electricity, liquid fuels, coal, natural gas and LNG, LPG, and solar and wind power during the previous government's tenure from 2010 to 2024. The amount should be determined by BERC.
The extent to which the prices and subsidies for electricity and primary fuels can be reduced by preventing predatory spending and profits and reducing government revenue must be determined by BERC.
BERC be reformed
A tribunal should be formed under the leadership of a retired Supreme Court judge. Moreover, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, aimed at ensuring energy justice to protect energy rights, will be reformed by a committee consisting of stakeholder representatives.
