Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 12th October 2022 protesting the recent government’s initiative as it is mulling to increase the tariff of electricity and water once again.

The country is going on through severe power shortages and load shedding. Amidst the crisis, the government is mulling increasing the tariff on water and electricity once again.

Due to load shedding, most parts of the country are suffering from a power crisis. Even the capital Dhaka is facing 4-5 hours of load shedding regularly. Consequently, people are suffering immensely. Mills and factories are also struggling due to the impact of the power shortages. Productivity has decreased alarmingly. Under such circumstances, another power and water price hike will intensify the ongoing crisis of the citizens.

Since the incumbent government came to the office, they increased the price of electricity 9 times in 12 years. This voter-less government is not liable to the people. Ignoring the public view, they are thinking to hike the tariff of water and power once again. This price hike will be a major blow to the people as they are already suffering the most.

I am urging the concerned authority to consider the mass suffering and also to be refrained from taking the decision of increasing power and water prices.