BERC chairman apologises for not complying with HC order

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Md Abdul Jalil yesterday offered unconditional apology to the High Court for not complying with its directive over fixing the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

He tendered the apology through submitting a petition to the HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim during hearing a contempt of court rule issued against him over the issue.

The HC bench fixed January 11 next year for a detailed hearing on whether it will pardon the BERC chairman, his lawyer Abdul Matin Khasru told The Daily Star.

On November 29, the same HC bench issued the contempt of court rule against the BERC chairman for not complying with its directive over fixing the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

In the rule, the HC asked the BERC chairman to explain in two weeks why contempt of court proceedings should not be brought against him and why he should not be punished for not implementing its directive.

The HC bench issued the rule during hearing a petition filed by Consumers' Association of Bangladesh (CAB).

Petitioner's lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua told the HC bench led by Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah that following the same petition, another HC bench on August 25 this year ordered the BERC and its chairman to fix the LPG price after holding a mass hearing on the issue and to submit a report to this court in 30 days after complying with the directive.

But, the BERC chairman has not implemented the August 25 order which is tantamount to contempt of court, he said.

Lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua on November 29 told The Daily Star that the BERC has not fixed any LPG price after 2009 although it is supposed to fix the price every year comparing with the international market.

The ministry of power on December 25 last year issued a letter saying that the BERC is the authority to fix the LPG price, he added.