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Online Reporter/

Three electricity distribution companies have proposed to increase the price of electricity by 19 percent at the consumer level. Other companies are said to be making similar proposals to the regulator Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) shortly.

Bazlur Rahman, a member of the commission, said that three companies, including the West Zone Power Distribution Company (Ozopadico), applied yesterday. We haven’t started looking into them yet. A proposal to increase the price does not mean that the price of electricity at the consumer level will increase immediately. We have not yet started working on the proposals of the companies. After receiving the applications of all the companies, a decision will be taken after verification. A date will be fixed for the public hearing if the scrutiny deems it reasonable. After the public hearing is over, the rationale of their statement will be seen again. The commission has up to 90 days after the conclusion of the hearing. Then the commission will inform their decision within that period.

Bikash Dewan, director of Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), said that the companies will have to bear losses by increasing the price of electricity at the wholesale level. Therefore, considering all aspects, the price increase will be requested at the customer level.

On November 21, Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) decided to increase the price of electricity at the wholesale level by 19.92 percent. Three companies, including Ojopadico, then proposed to BERC to increase prices at the consumer level.