Bangladesh opposition demands rollback of electricity price hike, warns of backlash

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for the immediate withdrawal of the latest electricity tariff increase, warning of public discontent if the government does not comply. Speaking at a protest rally in Dhaka, Porwar asserted that the hike would negatively impact industry, agriculture, trade, transport, and ordinary consumers.

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the government would otherwise have to face public backlash.

Porwar criticized the government for backtracking on its earlier assurances that power prices would not rise. He alleged that instead of addressing issues like corruption, system losses, and capacity payments in the power sector, the government is shifting the financial burden onto consumers. The Jamaat leader also claimed the tariff hike was implemented to satisfy conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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the government had assured the public only a few months ago that power prices would not be raised. However, it later backtracked on that commitment and raised electricity prices for consumers, a move that would affect industry, agriculture, trade, transport, and ordinary citizens alike.

Adding to his criticisms, Porwar accused the government of attempting to interfere with Islami Bank, which he claimed had already been subjected to looting. He also stated that the government has failed to effectively address problems within the banking sector, prioritizing actions that exacerbate public suffering. The rally, attended by various party officials, concluded with a procession.

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Instead of reducing corruption, system losses, and the burden of capacity payments in the power sector, the government shifted the costs onto consumers.

In a related development, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has withdrawn the electricity tariff hike for lifeline residential users, maintaining previous rates for low-income consumers. The revised tariffs announced on June 3 for consumers using 0-50 and 0-75 units will not take effect.

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the tariff hike was aimed at meeting conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).