Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said that the upcoming national budget will require a subsidy of approximately Tk 41,000 crore for the power sector.
He noted that despite the recent electricity tariff adjustments, around 65 per cent of all electricity consumers, classified as 'lifeline' or low-usage customers, will not face any additional financial burden.
Speaking at an emergency press briefing on electricity and energy issues on Saturday, Dr Zahed said while electricity tariffs have been adjusted at certain levels in light of the sector's current financial realities and mounting subsidy burden, the government remains committed to ensuring that ordinary citizens are not subjected to excessive financial pressure.
"We spend so much on subsidies, but the government has many other development projects and social security projects. We want to spend big on health, on education and on social security-- you know about the farmer card, the family card. So we actually have to fund these," he added.
