Following a wide scale criticism from different corners, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Thursday, within a day after announcing new power tariff, has been compelled to withdraw the increased electricity prices for the two lowest tiers of residential customers and reinstate the previous rates for lifeline customers (up to 50 units) and first-tier customers (up to 75 units).
According to the new tariff announced on Wednesday (June 3), the per-unit electricity price for residential lifeline customers was raised from Tk 4.63 to Tk 5.32. Similarly, for first-tier customers using up to 75 units, the per-unit price was increased from Tk 5.26 to Tk 6.18.
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Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) on Thursday morning (June 4) send letter to the BERC Chairman asking a question of the increased rate of poor and . We will consult with other distribution companies and review it promptly. Since the distribution companies have applied for a reduction, which will benefit consumers, a public hearing will not be necessary. We will announce the review decision quickly.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has asked the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to withdraw the increased electricity prices for the two lowest tiers of residential customers and reinstate the previous rates for lifeline customers (up to 50 units) and first-tier customers (up to 75 units) immediately.
"A proposal has been submitted Thursday morning (June 4) to withdraw the increased electricity prices for the two lowest tiers of residential customers," BERC chairman Jalal Ahmed told media and said BERc will consult with other distribution companies and review it promptly. Since the distribution companies have applied for a reduction, which will benefit consumers, a public hearing will not be necessary. We will announce the review decision quickly.
Lifeline customers were created considering the extreme poor, low-income, and disadvantaged sections of society. Customers who use a 30-watt light bulb and one fan for 10 to 12 hours a day fall under this billing category. However, if a household uses multiple fans or runs a fan continuously for 24 hours, it is less likely to remain within the lifeline bracket. Such customers then have to pay a different tier rate.
There are six separate tiers, and that electricity is comparatively much more expensive. Those concerned consider the Power Division's new approach a good decision, as it will relieve low-income people from pressure.
According to June 2025 data, out of 1.86 crore lifeline customers, 87 percent are under the Rural Electrification Board, 4.5 percent under BPDB, 4 percent under NESCO, and 3 percent under WZPDCO.
The lowest number of lifeline subscribers is in the capital Dhaka 1 percent under DPDC (responsible for distribution) and about 0.5 percent under DESCO. This means poor families in rural areas primarily benefit from this facility.
If the previous lifeline customer rates are reinstated, distribution companies will see a revenue reduction of approximately Tk 781 crore per year.
