Prime minister Tarique Rahman’s adviser on information and broadcasting, Zahed Ur Rahman, on Saturday said that the recent increase in electricity prices would not have a significant impact on the market.

He also assured that the government would take action if prices of goods were raised unjustifiably.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the conference room of the Press Information Department at the Secretariat, he made the remarks while responding to a question from journalists.

When a journalist questioned the rationale behind increasing fuel and electricity prices just before the national budget, a period when commodity prices usually rise, the adviser said, ‘This adjustment has to be made at some point. As you mentioned, prices often increase whenever the budget is announced. But let me ask something—many of you go to the market regularly, and so do I.’

He added, ‘I have observed that the prices of essential items, particularly vegetables and other fresh produce, are comparatively under control compared with many previous periods. I would like to say that while there has been a trend of rising prices, that trend is beginning to reverse. At the same time, everyone is aware of the subsidy crisis.’

He said that excessive spending on subsidies limits the government’s ability to finance other important programmes.

‘When we spend so much on subsidies, the government still has many development projects and social safety net programmes to fund. We want to make substantial investments in healthcare, education, and social protection. You are aware of the Farmers’ Card and Family Card programmes. We need to generate resources to support these expenditures,’ he said.

The adviser further stated, ‘Even if some prices increase, which should not happen, the Ministry of Commerce will remain vigilant. At the same time, I would like to point out that if any group comes under pressure, we are protecting the vulnerable sections of society. We have not increased electricity or fuel prices for them, and many of them will begin receiving government allowances.’

He said that a large percentage of people would receive Family Cards under the upcoming budget.

‘Therefore, the burden on them will be mitigated. In addition, other support measures, including TCB programmes and various social safety net initiatives, will remain in force. So, we hope this will not have a major impact,’ he said.

Zahed Ur Rahman also reiterated that the government would not ignore unjustified price hikes in the market.

‘I would again like to stress that this does not mean the government will not act against unreasonable increases in prices. The government will certainly take action,’ he added.

Addressing at the press conference, information and broadcasting minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said that the current government had to bear the burden created by corruption and money laundering during the previous government.

The minister said, ‘Had the country pursued a production-oriented policy instead of relying heavily on imports in the past, the current constraints in the power and energy sectors would not have arisen.’

He also noted that despite the recent increase in electricity tariffs, the government still has to provide subsidies amounting to Tk 41,000 crore to the power sector.