Power tariff hike unfair, anti-people: Left fronts
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Describing the latest power tariff hike as ‘unfair’ and ‘anti-people’, various Left fronts have warned of vigorous agitation if the government does not back off from raising electricity rates. Power prices have been raised 11 times since the Awami League-led government took office in 2009. On Thursday, the tariff was further increased by 6.96 per cent on an average. The enhanced rates take effect from this month, according to a news agency. Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the BNP, and various Left fronts have been opposing the move. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD), Gono Forum, and Ganatantrik Baam Morcha held separate rallies in Dhaka near the energy ministry Sunday to protest the hike.The speakers at rallies demanded cancellation of the enhanced rates. CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim warned of laying siege to the energy ministry to force the government to cancel the tariff hike. Ganatantrik Baam Morcha’s coordinator Abdus Sattar announced country-wide agitation from Mar 18 in protest against the move.