The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has declared it will boycott all public hearings organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) until serious allegations against the Commission’s chairman and members are formally resolved by the President.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, CAB accused BERC of repeated legal violations and abuse of regulatory authority, leading to arbitrary decisions that have harmed consumer interests and undermined energy justice in the country.
According to CAB, BERC has unilaterally approved increases in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), jet fuel, and industrial gas — in some cases without holding public hearings, and in others despite a lack of justification during the hearings.
“BERC has bypassed legal procedures, misused its authority, and consistently made decisions that go against the principles of transparency and fairness,” CAB said in its statement. “Such actions amount to regulatory misconduct and have severely jeopardized consumer rights.”
The organization noted that these decisions violate multiple provisions of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, including Sections 22(b), 34(4), and 34(6). On July 31, 2025, CAB submitted a formal letter to the Honorable President, calling for the removal of the BERC chairman and all members under Section 11 of the Act, and urging punitive action under Section 42.
CAB emphasized that until the allegations are investigated and resolved, it will not take part in any BERC-led public consultation processes, including the upcoming hearing scheduled for October 6, which is set to review proposed gas price hikes for the fertilizer industry.
“This is not just a protest — it is a stand for accountability in Bangladesh’s energy sector. We cannot legitimize decisions made through unlawful and non-transparent processes,” the statement added.
The watchdog further criticized what it described as a pattern of misconduct by BERC, stating that the current commission has continued a history of irregular decision-making without proper oversight or stakeholder engagement.