Why govt shouldn’t be directed to re-fix kerosene, diesel prices: HC

The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in a week why it should not be directed to re-fix the tariff of petroleum products including kerosene and diesel as per relevant provisions of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act, 2013.

In the rule, the court also asked the respondents to show causes why the inaction of BERC chairman to finalise three rules and provisions, made in 2012 regarding fixing the petroleum products, through gazette notification should not be declared illegal.

Senior secretary at the ministry of energy and mineral resources, BERC chairman, and other officials concerned have been made respondents to the rule.

The bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on November 14, seeking necessary directives on the respondents over this issue.

Lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua appeared on behalf of the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Nawroz MR Chowdhury and Assistant Attorney General Golam Sarwar Payel represented the state during hearing of the petition.