“CAB surprised at fixing the price of fuel oil according to the previous rules"
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Photo: Barta24.com
We are surprised to determine the price of fuel oil according to the rules of the previous government, said the senior vice-president of CAB, energy expert Dr. Shamsul Alam.
He made this comment at a press conference on Energy Bangladesh Energy Transformation Policy 2024 of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on Sunday (September 1) at the auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity. Dr. Shamsul Alam presented 11 points of recommendation on behalf of CAB in the key-note paper.
He said the government, which suspends special laws, has amended the law and enabled BERC. It is surprising to think that the government will follow the path shown by the previous government. It is not about reducing or increasing the price here. We want fuel prices to be set by BERC in a transparent process as per law. BERC is empowered by law to fix the prices of all types of fuel. BPC has to approach BERC as licensee. BPC has no jurisdiction to fix prices.
Referring to various corruptions of BPC, he said that even donor organizations have asked to audit BPC. They are hiding many accounts. The people are held hostage by the oligarchs. We think the government should stay for a minimum of 3 years. The oligarchs of the power sector should be identified and penalized.
Dr. Shamsul Alam said that thousands of crores of money have been looted from the power sector. In the financial year 2022-23, electricity production was expected to increase by 6 percent, and the price is increased. And real production increased by only 3 percent. Tk. 35 thousand crore have been looted here.
He said, if the predatory expenditure of the energy sector is not avoided, the consumer will be deprived of his energy rights. The oligarchs who looted the energy sector in the previous government, and those who are still in charge of the energy ministry, are also members of that oligarch group. Therefore, for the development of the energy sector, those oligopolies should be removed quickly.
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, legal advisor of CAB, said that CAB's recommendation is not from a theoretical place; CAB is consistently working for consumers. We have gone to court sometimes, people have benefited from it. We believe in the philosophy of people empowerment. The power sector has become a huge area of looting. We want to ensure fairness. Many things have been done unjustly and unjustifiably. Energy has been invested in various banks from the Security Fund. It is a serious financial crime. The fund, made up of consumers' money, was intended to ensure energy security by keeping prices affordable. He is charged with borrowing from that fund. That charge is also going from people's pockets; I am giving it several times.
He said, we have proposed capping the price of electricity for 3 years. The price cannot be increased. I have asked for a commission for energy reform and then everyone can give their opinion there. The tendency to disobey anarchy laws must be stopped. Section 34(a) was added to prevent CAB only so that the price can be increased by executive order whenever it wants. We have opposed it. Special Provision Act on Fast Fuel Supply has acted as an accomplice to looting. We want the repeal of that Act.
He termed the explanation that Singapore does not provide subsidies to America without taking into account other indicators while raising prices as absurd. He further said, other indicators are not taken into consideration here. There is such wisdom. Energy criminals must be brought under justice, they are more organized than us, we will not be able to deal with them and so everyone must raise their voice.
He said, if the energy secretary himself is in charge of the company, then it is difficult to ensure the right of the consumer. Omera Company (Omera LP Gas) chairman himself is an official of the Ministry of Energy, so how will the rights of consumers are protected?
General Secretary of CAB Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan and Organizing Secretary Professor Dr. Syed Mizanur Rahman spoke at the press conference among others.
