Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said despite the recent hike in the price of electricity in the country, the tariff of power still remains less than in many countries.

“The increase in electricity price has exceeded cent per cent in the United Kingdom. It (price) has exceeded 20 to 100 per cent in European Union countries . . . It is 21 per cent in Germany and 95 per cent in Belgium. In this context, the increase in electricity prices in our country is comparatively less. The tariff has increased twice by 5 per cent recently,” he said replying to reporters while exchanging views with them at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat here.

Hasan said the per unit price of electricity in Bangladesh is Taka 7.32 while it is Taka 11.15 in Delhi, Taka 11.33 in Maharashtra and Taka 8.63 in Punjab in India. Per unit price is Taka 18.31 in the USA, Taka 41.93 in Germany, Taka 46.46 in Belgium and Taka 25.74 in Japan.

“The unit price of electricity is less in Bangladesh than in other countries even from India”, he added.

He said inflation has taken place all over the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The inflation in European Union countries is more than 10 per cent while inflation has exceeded 20 to 22 per cent in some countries.

The overall inflation exceeded 10 per cent in the UK while it is 11.8 per cent in Russia, 60 per cent in Turkey (it was 80 per cent a few days ago) 32 per cent in Pakistan, he added.

“But, the inflation is 8.30 per cent in our country. And it (inflation) is less than many developed nations and even our neighbouring countries,” said Hasan.

But, he said, the leaders of the opposition party (BNP) is trying to create confusion among the people hiding the real scenario of the world. Even, they are trying to raise an allegation of corruption regarding the price hike of electricity, he added.

The ruling party leader said the country became a champion in corruption five consecutive times during the tenure of BNP. Begum Khaleda Zia was convicted for corruption and consequently she was sent to jail.

He said Begum Zia is now out of prison and staying at her home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown her unprecedented generosity towards her. Besides, the party’s acting chairman is also convicted of corruption and siphoning off money, he added.

“People laugh when they (BNP) talk about corruption,” said Hasan.