The High Court has directed the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to adjust the inflated electricity bill issued during general holidays due to coronavirus pandemic.
A High Court division bench comprising Justice Md Mujibur Rahman Mia and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim gave the order after hearing a writ petition on Monday.
The bench directed the authorities concerned to adjust the bills and submit a report to the court within the next two months, reports BSS.
The writ petition was filed in the High Court by Architect Mobasher Hossain, the convener of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), on October 5 seeking directions to adjust the additional bills of the customers.
Barrister Jyortimoy Barua appeared for the writ petitioner during the hearing.
Jyortimoy Barua said that, the High Court on Monday issued a rule to the concerned parties asking why it would not be declared illegal not to take action as per Section 43 of the BRIC Act 2003 against those who were involved in issuing inflated electricity bills during the period.
He said many consumers have alleged that electricity distribution companies prepared inflated bills without meter readings in the wake of the corona outbreak.
“In June, the Bangladesh Consumer Association sent a letter to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) in this regard. The letter said that they should suspend the collection of physical electricity bills,” he said.
A legal notice was later sent to the authorities concerned to take action in this regard, he added.
