Dhaka, July 18 -- In a bid to rein in soaring electricity subsidies and generation costs, the government has initiated a plan to reduce expenditure at power plants where it holds full or partial ownership, officials said.

The initial focus will be on trimming operating and maintenance (O&M) costs through discussions and negotiations with state-owned power companies and joint ventures in which the government has substantial stakes.

Entities under review include major state-run firms such as Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Ltd (EGCB), Northwest Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL), Ashuganj Power Station Company Ltd (APSCL), and Coal Power Generation Company of Bangladesh Ltd (CPGCB...