Dhaka: The government has sanctioned a Tk 100 crore subsidy along with a 20 percent rebate on electricity bills aimed at supporting marginal-level fish farms, hatcheries, and livestock and poultry farms in reducing production costs and attracting investment in the sector.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced on Monday that this decision aligns with a directive from the finance ministry issued on January 22. The existing electricity rebate policy already provides a 20-percent rebate to 16 sectors to bolster agricultural production, stimulate agro-based exports, and encourage industrial growth.
Four sectors under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock have been incorporated into the subsidy plan, with the Finance Division approving a Tk 100 crore allocation in principle. These sectors include animal and poultry feed manufacturing, fish feed production, the poultry industry, and dairy processing industries such as milk pasteurisation, powdered milk, ice cream, condensed milk, sweets, cheese, ghee, butter, chocolate, and yoghurt.
The ministry anticipates that this initiative will significantly reduce production costs, draw more investment, and enhance the nation’s ability to produce safe and quality animal protein. As per the directive, the Power Division will annually assess rebate claims submitted by electricity distribution companies and forward proposals for the four related sectors to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Proposals for the remaining 12 sectors will be directed to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Upon verifying the eligibility of rebate-receiving sectors, the two ministries will forward fund release proposals to the Finance Division. Funds will be disbursed to electricity distribution companies biannually, with the second-half release contingent on the completion of audits. Audit reports must clearly mention rebate-receiving sectors.
A draft policy for selecting eligible consumers will require prior approval from the Finance Division. Each beneficiary must maintain a separate electricity line and meter for the relevant sector, and the rebate amount cannot be used for any other purpose. Any violations will result in liabilities for the concerned parties, as warned by the finance ministry.