BERC accepts proposal to hike REB’s power tariff by 10.75pc

Rural Electrification Board (REB) is not paying any interest to consumers' rights across the country although it is responsible for supplying electricity to the rural people across the country.
Consumers raised different irregularities on installation of meters, issuances of demand notes, meter rent and in supply of electricity in rural areas while Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) accepted REB's proposal to hike power tariff by 10.75 percent for survival of the Rural Electrification Board.
However, the technical evaluation committee said the retail price for REB customers could go up by 7.19 percent.
Communist Party's representative Ruhin Hossian Prince raised different irregularities on installation of meters, demand notes and supply of electricity.
"Address the irregularities first so that villagers could get electricity properly, you (REB)  are raising the tariff on regular basis but the people are not getting rid of trouble," he said.
The REB has 2.01 crore consumers and is supplying electricity to 75 percent of the consumers across the country.
Taking part in the discussion, BERC Chairman Monowar Islam said, "BERC has already received series of disputes and corruption charges against REB's samities. It is fact but the organization yet to take it into cognizance".
REB chairman Moin Uddin admitted that the organization raised the salaries to overcome corruption of REB.
REB chairman said they have incurred loss Tk 1391 crore in fiscal year 2015-16 and 2016-17. "So it's necessary to raise the power tariff by 10.75 percent for survival of the Rural Electrification Board," he said.
Consumer Mancha of Gaibandha Md Milon said Rural infrastructure was severely damaged due to recent devastating flood.
"The image of the government will be destroyed if the electricity tariff will be increasing at the reconstruction period of rural infrastructure," he said.
Citing a example of some Afasuddin of Gobindaganj, Milon describe a horrific picture of a poor farmer's pain in continuing connection with the REB.
He requested the REB chairman for addressing the irregularities so that villagers could get electricity properly.
According to the REB, its distribution expenditure was Tk 6.70 a kilowatt-hour unit in 2016-17 whereas it sold each unit at Tk 6.05, leaving a deficit of Tk 0.65.   
The technical evaluation committee, however, said the retail price for REB customers could go up by 7.19 percent to Tk 6.56 per unit.
BERC Chairman Monowar Islam chaired the hearing which was attended, among others, by REB Chairman Maj Gen Moin Uddin, Energy Adviser of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh Prof Dr Shamsul Alam, Bangladesh Communist Party representative Ruhin Hossian Prince, Gono Shanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Joniad Shaki, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Senior Vice PPresident Md Ali Khokon, BKMEA Senior Assistant Secretary Sajib Hossain, Consumer Mancha of Gaibandha Md Milon, REB member finance Md Ataul Hoque Mollah and the members of BERC.
Energy Adviser of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh Prof Dr Shamsul Alam on Wednesday suggested the government should provide subsidy in bulk tariff for REB.
"Please allow at least 25 percent grant on retail power tariff for minimizing loss," he also recommended.
He suggested for nationalization the salary structure of REB officials so that they will come out from corruption.
"We strongly oppose to hike of retail power tariff of REB and recommended to pay grant as the REB will come into breakeven point," he suggested.
Prof Shamsul Alam said the country's economy will get in track if the government will ensure electricity to REB areas.