Gas prices may be hiked ERC

Power tariffs might not be increased until January for the small-scale users, but gas prices might, the chairman of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said, reports bdnews24.com. brGolam Rahman Thursday said power prices might be hiked for the big customers, which means the domestic users may not see any immediate rise. brSince the government would like to finalise such decisions by September 30, a public hearing will be held on Sept 24 on gas prices enhancement, Rahman said. brEarlier, another public hearing was held on August 20 on the Power Development Board (PDB) proposal placed with the ERC on June 15. The PDB proposed enhancing power tariffs by 41 per cent on average. brPDB's large customers will in turn be able to propose power tariff increases for their customers, once the PDB enhances them, said an ERC official. brHolding public hearing and relevant verifications may take at least three months, said the official who did not want to be named. The increases, therefore, might not be possible before January.br