In the last 11 years, the wholesale price of electricity has increased 118 percent and the retail price, 89.63 percent.
Besides, a subsidy of Tk 7,000 to 8,000 crore is given to the power sector every year, if added to the price, the actual price of electricity would increase.
The facts were revealed at a webinar organised by Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and Voktakantho (Consumers' Voice) on Monday.
Journalist Manjurul Ahsan presented a keynote paper at the webinar, presided over by Golam Rahman, former chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission and president of the CAB. Voktakantho Editor Kazi Abdul Hannan and CAB organizer Syed Mizanur Rahman jointly conducted the event.
Manjurul Ahsan said that two separate companies have been formed after the division of the PDB, which increased the cost of manpower. Shares of state-owned companies were being sold and given to private ownership. The money of these companies is being kept in FDR in different banks. However, no one knows where the money is going.
Over the years, consumer organisations have shown that there is no need to increase the price of electricity, rather it can be reduced. But the price of electricity has increased 10 times over the last 11 years.
Highlighting the bureaucracy's relationship with the PDB or the companies, Manjurul said the company's board members are not responsible for irregularities. They do not take responsibility for profit and loss.
Speaking of the conflict of interest, he showed that when the same person goes to the secretariat and makes a decision, and comes back to the company and sets the price, the control and balance is hampered.
Professor M Shamsul Alam, Energy Advisor of CAB said, "It is our right to get electricity or fuel at the right price. At the same time, the Constitution has also ensured the protection of the environment.
He cited the example of various European countries, including Germany, where the price of electricity is lower than in our country. He said the question of transformation in the development of the fuel sector is coming up. Work on transformation started in the country 17 years ago. The government could not show efficiency in subduing various companies. Even though the minimum price has been fixed for the companies, they are not paying attention to it.
‘The regulatory commission was tasked with protecting consumer rights and attracting foreign investment. But, the profit margin of investment has been kept so high that there is a stumbling block for investment here. Consumers have to buy electricity at two to two and a half times the actual price due to corruption,’ he added.
MM Akash, professor of Dhaka University, said the company wanted planned intervention in the fuel sector to be commuted and the market to be under their control. The wholesale price of electricity has increased by 118 percent in the last 11 years, which had an impact on the consumer. No one knows the actual cost of generating electricity in the private sector, including quick rentals. The government has enacted an indemnity law in the power sector, which is not acceptable.
Malay Bhowmik, Professor of Rajshahi University, said ‘the assets owned by the people were being handed over to the robbers and traders. We are increasing the irregularities of the board members of the companies from inactiveness. He also mentioned that consumers have to pay for new services with new connections.
Speaking on the occasion, Golam Rahman said, ‘We have a lack of good governance in the energy sector. We need to be vocal until good governance is established. Everyone has to come forward collectively.’
