The National Committee for the Protection of Oil-Gas-Mineral Resources Electricity and Port, in a statement on Thursday, protested the move to empower the country’s energy regulator to change power and energy tariffs as many times as it feels required.
The committee Convener Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah and member Secretary Anu Muhammad in a joint statement observed that the bill placed in the national parliament titled, “Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (Amendment) Bill – 2020,” is a ploy against the consumers who are already struggling financially to cope with the challenges of coronavirus pandemic.
The committee, which is a rights group, also demanded annulling the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special) Act.
Many private entrepreneurs were awarded projects in power and energy sector under the special law bypassing the competitive tendering system, they said.
Now the BERC regulation is going to be amended to benefit the private sector by allowing their projects to continue at higher costs, they alleged.
The leaders also accused the BERC of hiking tariffs defying the arguments in the public hearings.
They also protested the Digital Security Act terming it as a mean to snatch the freedom of expressions.
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