Power to get costlier in rural areas
The Rural Electrification Board (REB) has proposed an average 12.97 percent tariff increase at retail consumer level.
The board placed the proposal before the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission during a meeting at the latter's office yesterday. The commission fixed April 28 for the hearing on the tariff hike.
The REB proposed 11.75 percent rise in tariff for consumption of 0-100 kilowatt-hour (kWh), 19.22 percent for 101-300kWh and 20 percent for 301-500 kWh and above at domestic level.
It also proposed an increase in the minimum monthly bill from existing Tk 65 to Tk 105 for households and also a rise from Tk 6 to Tk 8 in service charge and from Tk 12 to Tk 20 in demand charge.
The board proposed 10 percent tariff hike for the commercial and charitable users while 9.93 percent for irrigation.
Before placing the proposal, REB Chairman Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam said the bundle supply tariff for its 70 Palli Bidyut Samity (rural electricity cooperatives) was increased several times in 2002-11 but the retail tariff was unchanged.
In February, the retail price was increased by 5 percent on an average, exempting the irrigation sector, charitable organisations and the consumers who consume less than 100 kWh.
The REB in its proposal said the operating deficit at the 70 cooperatives is Tk 485 crore in the year 2010-2011. Once the proposed tariff hike comes into effect, there will be a surplus of Tk 101.97 crore even after meeting the operating costs.
BERC member Md Emdadul Haque said the commission has taken the proposal into cognisance and fixed April 28 for the hearing.
BERC Chairman Syed Yusuf Hossain said the government and the BERC has a responsibility towards the consumers and the tariff must be set considering the consumers' ability and also the management efficiency of the Palli Bidyut Samity.
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