Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 9th January 2023 protesting the government’s latest initiative as they are mulling to increase the power tariff once again.

“As the nation had been facing severe power shortage last July; the government formally announced to initiate load shedding. A devastating situation was created in those days due to acute power crises and load shedding. Still, there are power shortages in comparison to the demand. But no significant initiative is visible on the part of the government to make a balance between the power supply and demand. Production in many mills and factories are also being disrupted because of the power crisis. The bulk electricity price was increased on last 19th November. Now Company-wise, a 15.61 percent hike in retail power tariff was recommended by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. Already people are badly suffering due to the price hike of the essentials. Under such circumstances, another power price hike at the retail level will be a severe blow to the people.

Coming to the office, the incumbent government has hiked the power tariff for 10 times at bulk and retail levels. This government is not an elected government and they do not feel any liability toward the people. As such, they pay no heed to the people’s voices. They increase the price of all items as per their whims.

I am urging the concerned authorities to be refrained from taking the decision of a power price hike at the retail level considering the financial crisis of the countrymen.