The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Bill was placed in Parliament on Sunday, aiming to create scope for the government fix the prices of power and energy without public hearing.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid placed the Bill in the House and it was sent to the respective scrutiny committee for further examination, reports UNB.
Earlier, Law minister Anisul Huq placed the “Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Ordinance, 2022” in Parliament on Jan 5.
President Abdul Hamid promulgated the ordinance on December 1 last amending the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003.
The law ministry issued a gazette on December 1 on the amendment that allows government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity besides fuel oil.
Previously, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources used to adjust the prices of fuel including diesel, octane, kerosene and petrol without any hearing but the prices of gas and electricity were adjusted by the BERC through hearings.
With the amendment of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003, the power ministry will not require to hold a hearing to decide new prices for gas and electricity.
