Dhaka: Terming government’s decision illogical and unacceptable to raise the prices of gas and power, Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday demanded its immediate annulment.

The party also urged the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to revise the power tariff in accordance with falling oil prices on the international market after conducting a fresh mass hearing on it.

BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon came up with the demands at a press briefing at the party’s of Nayapaltan central office. The press meet was arranged to give the party’s formal reaction to the fresh hike in power and gas tariffs.

‘We know the BERC, a government puppet, had held a mass hearing to decide the increase in the prices of the major utility services early this year during a volatile political situation of the country. The verdict of the hearing was not to increase the tariffs. Holding hearing mere eyewash as they’ve now increased the tariffs of gas and power as per their wish. Our party demands immediate cancellation of the decision,’ Ripon told reporters.

He further said, ‘The cost of power generation should have gone down following the fall of oil prices on the international market, but the government has increased the power price instead. On the other hand, gas tariff has also been hiked though the gas sector is a profitable one. It’s a very illogical and unacceptable decision.’

Earlier on Thursday, the government raised the gas and powers tariff by 2.93 percent and 26.29 percent respectively on average at the consumer level with effect from 1 September next.

The BERC announced the increased prices at an emergency press conference at its office.

Announcing the gas price and power tariff rise, BERC chairman AR Khan said a hike in the gas price was inevitable as gas is depleting fast and they were looking for alternative energy for making Bangladesh a middle-income country. ‘That's why we have to raise the gas price.’

After a series of hearings on petitions submitted by different gas and power distribution companies to raise their respective prices in January and February this year, the regulator came up with its decision after about eight months although the relevant law suggests the petition should be resolved within 90 days from their submission.

‘We call upon the government to arrange a fresh and transparent hearing on the issue with all the stakeholders. We hope the government considering public sufferings will move away from its anti-people decision of raising the power and gas prices.’ Ripon said.

Asked whether they will announce any action programme in protest against the power and gas tariff hike, he said their party policymakers will decide it after a discussion.