Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood has described electricity-purchase agreements signed during the previous Awami League government with India, foreign entities, and private companies as a serious threat to the country's independence and sovereignty.
He said the nation's freedom and sovereignty are closely linked to the power sector, yet the former government repeatedly signed contracts that went against national interests without giving the matter due consideration.
Speaking to journalists at his office in the Secretariat in the capital on Tuesday, the minister addressed issues including the country's electricity situation, the energy crisis, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, and arrears owed to private power producers.
On power purchase agreements (PPAs), Mr Mahmood said sovereignty is directly tied to such contracts, and in many cases, the nation's sovereignty itself is effectively pledged as a guarantee.
He alleged that the Awami League government failed to exercise necessary caution, and that most contracts signed in the power sector during its tenure were against national interests.
Announcing a review of all power contracts, including the Adani deal, the minister said the new government, which has just assumed office, will scrutinise each agreement with the people's interests as its priority. Any contracts found to be against national interests will be addressed accordingly.
Responding to a question about arrears owed to private producers, he noted that the current government has been in office for only seven days.
"These arrears did not accumulate overnight," he said, adding that the actions of the previous government must also be taken into account.
On another question, Mr Mahmood said that the country's "independence" has effectively been handed over to certain vested groups, and that these matters must be reassessed to find solutions. A committee has already submitted a report on the issue.
Regarding legal complexities, the minister said the government prefers resolution through dialogue, but if parties seek recourse in court, the government will abide by the legal process.
Reaffirming the priority of renewable energy, he emphasised that the government's main goal is to ensure affordable, high-quality energy and uninterrupted electricity supply for the people.
LPG Prices Slashed
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Tuesday revised down consumer-level prices of private liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and transport autogas.
Under the new decision, the widely used 12kg LPG cylinder has been reduced by Tk 15, bringing the price to Tk 1,341 from Tk 1,356. The new rates came into effect at 6:00pm on Tuesday.
According to a BERC notification signed by its Secretary Md Nazrul Islam, the adjustment follows the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) decision to withdraw value-added tax (VAT) at the production stage and impose a 7.5 per cent VAT at the import stage.
The retail prices are as follows: per kg LPG, including VAT, is Tk 111.79; 5.5kg cylinder, Tk 615; 15kg cylinder, Tk 1,677; and 45kg cylinder, Tk 5,031.
For reticulated supply systems, the price has been set at Tk 108.04 per kg, including VAT.
The price of autogas used in transport has been fixed at Tk 61.86 per litre.
The BERC clarified that LPG supplied by state-owned LP Gas Ltd has been fixed at Tk 776.93 per 12.5kg cylinder.
It warned that LPG or autogas cannot be sold above the fixed rates at any stage, and distributors must provide VAT invoices or delivery orders.
Legal action will be taken against violators if complaints are proven.
Earlier, on February 2, LPG prices were last adjusted, when the 12kg cylinder price was increased by Tk 50 to Tk 1,356.
On February 16, the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance issued a gazette imposing the new VAT rate on LPG imports, prompting this latest price revision.
azizjst@yahoo.com
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