\\\'No immediate plan to raise power tariff at lifeline level\\\'

State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid said on Saturday the government had no plan at the moment to increase the power tariff at the lifeline level in the next one year or adjust the fuel price with the global market, reports UNB.
"We don't have any plan so far to raise the power tariff at lifeline level. If necessary, we'll increase the subsidy," he said while addressing a meeting at the head office of the Rural Electrification Board (REB) at Nikunja in the city.
With REB chairman Brigadier General Moinul Hossain in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain.
Turning down the demand of different Palli Bidyut Samiti (PBS) or rural power cooperatives to raise the power tariff for recouping losses, the state minister said the cooperatives have to increase their efficiency and contain corruption to reduce their losses.
He said the country's 70 percent consumers are from lifeline level.
On the issue of fuel price adjustment, Nasrul Hamid said the government is not contemplating going for any immediate adjustment.
"But the adjustment may come in future," he said.
The junior minister observed that there were allegations of corruption against REB and PBS officials in providing new electricity connections.
Some officials are forcing consumers to bribe them through mobile money transfer window bKash, he said.
Nasrul Hamid also observed that some contractors are not maintaining standard in their works which is tarnishing the image of the REB.