BERC to get free rein to raise energy prices

The cabinet yesterday approved the draft of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Act, 2019, with a provision to change energy prices more than once a year.

The approval was given at a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the city, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Speaking to reporters at the secretariat after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the proposed law seeks to amend only one clause of the Act.

Under the existing law, the BERC can change energy prices only once a year.

He said prices of energy go up and down in the international market and the government needs to adjust the prices in the local market accordingly. And that was why the amendment was proposed.

Yesterday, the cabinet also gave the go-ahead to the drafts of two university Acts -- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University Act, 2019, and Sunamganj Science and Technology University Act, 2019. The two institutions will be set up in Kishoreganj and Sunamganj.

With the establishment of the two new universities, the number of public universities in the country will reach 50. Of them, 46 are in operation now.

The cabinet also gave nod to the draft of Marine Fisheries Act, 2019.

According to the proposed law, fishing within the maritime boundary of Bangladesh by a foreigner will carry a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to Tk 5 crore.

Under the existing law, a foreigner can be handed a jail term of up to three months and fined up to Tk 1 lakh for committing the offence.

The cabinet secretary said the draft law has a provision enabling the authorities to operate mobile courts in the country’s maritime area.