Low-income households exempted from power price hikes as govt targets energy reforms

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon announced on Saturday that 65 percent of country’s population--primarily marginalized and low-income citizens--will be shielded from the latest electricity price increases.

The price adjustments, recently determined by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), will apply only to the wealthiest consumer segments. During a press briefing at the Secretariat, Swapon emphasized that the government was "determined to protect marginalized people" from the inflationary pressures of the global energy crisis.

The briefing featured a detailed status report on the Ministry of Power and Energy, presented by Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser.

Minister Swapon attributed the current strain on the power sector to two decades of "wrong policies" and an over-reliance on energy imports. He argued that if previous administrations had prioritized the extraction of domestic gas and mineral resources, Bangladesh would not be so vulnerable to international market shocks.

He also launched a sharp critique of the former Awami League administration, alleging that "fifteen years of corruption and looting" in the energy sector had left a legacy of massive debt. The minister noted that the government is currently grappling with a staggering Taka 41,000 crore subsidy burden while dealing with the economic fallout of capital flight and money laundering by those who amassed "black money" under the previous regime.

"It will take time to dismantle this cycle of offense and restore health to the energy sector," Swapon said, though he maintained that the current government is focused on a long-term plan to achieve energy self-sufficiency.

Transparency and public communication were also central themes of the briefing. The minister pledged to establish a "normal and regular process of information exchange" between the state, the public, and the media. He vowed that the administration would maintain constant accountability by keeping the media informed on all urgent matters and policy decisions.

Deputy Principal Information Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam was also in attendance at the briefing.