Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has issued the following statement on 21st November 2022, protesting and condemning the recent move as the authority hiked bulk price hike once again.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has hiked bulk electricity prices by 19.92% to Tk6.20 kWh from the previous price of Tk5.17 kWh. Already, the nation is experiencing severe load shedding. Due to such a situation, most parts of the country are in a crisis of power and electricity. The capital is also suffering from acute power shortages. People are suffering massively because of the power cut.

Because of the ongoing economic condition, people’s normal living is becoming unbearable. Amidst such a situation, bulk electricity price has been increased again. Financial crisis causes shutdown of several mills and factories. People are being expelled from the factories. The latest bulk price hike of electricity will make another harsh impact on the mills and factories. It will increase mass suffering once again.

Since the incumbent government came to office, the power price has increased for 9 times in the last 12 years. This government has been elected without votes and they do not have any liability towards the people. As such the government pays no heed to the public view and increases the power prices repeatedly. Experts opine that the adverse impact of a power price hike will cause severe damage to the national economy. This will lead the country towards more crisis.

I am urging the concerned authorities to consider the mass sufferings and the vulnerable situation and simultaneously to withdraw the decision of bulk electricity price hike immediately.