Power tariffs may not be raised at least over the next two years in view of economic woes of the commoners as the new government plans to cut system loss to avoid rate hikes.
With this end in view, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) has discussed ways of reducing the system loss by 2.0 per cent to 5.0 per cent from the current 7.0 per cent, officials said.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud recently instructed top officials of different power-sector entities to work for reducing the system loss, removing irregularities and cutting unnecessary costs so that tariffs need be raised.
"The instructions came during the meeting of the minister with the top power-sector officials at the secretariat," said one official, as the newly elected Tarique Rahman government gets down to rolling out and executing its sector-wise plans.
Sources said during the past 18-month tenure, the interim government did not raise power tariffs.
Power price for both retail-and bulk-level consumers was last raised on February 29, 2024 during the regime of the previous Awami League government.
