Dhaka, June 25 (UNB) - The state-owned Power Development Board (PDB) on Monday placed a proposal to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to raise the retail power tariff by 57 percent per unit.

Earlier, the PDB sent a similar proposal to the energy sector regulator seeking a hike in the bulk power tariff by the 57 percent.

Sources said the PDB proposed raising the average bulk tariff of each unit of electricity to Tk 6.03 from the present rate of Tk 4.02.

The other organisations in power distribution sector have placed the similar proposal following the submission of PDB’s proposal for bulk power price hike.

According to the BERC sources, Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) sought to raise the power retail power tariff by 53.73 percent on average while Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) by 50 percent and the West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDC) by 56.86 percent.

Now, the watchdog body will set a timetable to hold public hearing to accommodate the views of the stakeholders to make a decision on the proposals placed by the PDB and other organisations.

The BERC last raised the both bulk and retail power tariff in March.