Ordinance to adjust gas, electricity prices without public hearing placed in parliament

The 'Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Ordinance, 2022' was placed in parliament today paving the way for government to adjust prices of gas and electricity without public hearing.

Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the ordinance in the House.

President Abdul Hamid promulgated the ordinance on December 1 last year amending the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003 as the parliament was not in session.

The law ministry issued a gazette on December 1 announcing the amendment that allows government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity.

BERC is an autonomous body which was established based on the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Act 2003, aiming at improving power and energy infrastructure in Bangladesh.

The cabinet on November 28 approved an amendment to the BERC Ordinance 2022 to empower the government to set fuel tariff on its own under special circumstances without waiting for the commission's public hearing and decision.