Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Saturday described the government’s move to award 10 percent VAT rebate on importing coal for coal-based power plants as imprudent, with no benefit to the people.
Expressing concern over the government’s inclination to coal-based power production, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “The decision of relieving 10 percent VAT in coal import as reported in the media goes against the government’s national pledges, sustainable development goals and Paris Agreement.”
The present rate of renewable electricity production is four percent against the government’s pledge to produce 10 percent electricity from renewable sources by 2020, said a press release of TIB.
There is no strategic nor effective step towards achieving the government’s promise of producing 50 percent electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050, he said.
The TIB chief expressed doubts over the benefits of rebate in coal import reaching the general people.
He said the government gave the same facility to the furnace oil-based power plants but the profit went to the pockets of private sector entrepreneurs instead of consumers.
He suggested the authorities to provide electricity to people at fair price instead of giving facilities to coal importers.
