Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday demanded that the government to cut down the prices of electricity instead of hiking the rates further.
“If the power tariff goes up, it will have multiple effects as prices of all essential commodities will increase,” said CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince while addressing a rally in front of National Press Club in the capital.
The rally, organised by Segunbagicha unit of CPB, also demanded the cancellation of the existing “minimum billing” system.
The leaders at the rally also noted that the rise in power tariffs will result in hike in house rents as well.
Criticising the Power Ministry’s role, they said the move of hike power price has proved that the government is trying to protect the interest of the wealthy population.
They said the rural consumers are now paying the highest rate for electricity.
Noting that some 9 lakh rural people consume electricity worth of Tk 55 crore, but they pay Tk 98 crore, the leaders also added: “The government must decrease the power price for the rural people instead of raising it.”
The leaders severely criticised the government’s purchase of power from rental power plants saying that the rental power serves only the interests of the vested quarters.
