Official price 1500, shop 1800; "Robbery as usual" says the customer

Gas shortage is one of the many problems of the capital residents. Most of the consumers have to buy LP gas cylinders as an alternative due to low or cut off supply even with gas lines.

In 2020, the government stopped the provision of gas connection to homes permanently. Due to which the demand of LPG cylinders has increased several times. Businessmen are taking advantage of this. They are charging several hundred rupees per cylinder more than the price set by the government.

Gas usage started in 1999

• The use of LPG cylinders in the country started in 1999. Bashundhara Group launched the first LP gas commercially. At present, apart from Beximco, 18 private companies including Yamuna, Cleanheat, Total, Orion, Omera, Petromax, Laughers, G-Gas, Delta, Promita, JMI, TMSS and Navana are marketing LPG cylinders across the country. Cylinders are sold in different weights including 12 kg, 30 kg, 45 kg. 12 kg cylinder is most commonly used in homes. 30-45 kg cylinders are used for various commercial purposes including hotels and restaurants.

________________________________________________________________________

Read more: Common people's purchasing power has increased: Prime Minister
________________________________________________________________________

On February 2 (Thursday), Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) increased the price of 12 kg LPG cylinder by 266 taka to 1 thousand 498 taka. Increasing the price by more than two and a half rupees has already created pressure on the buyers. Moreover, now the buyers are not getting gas even at the price set by the government. Gas of Tk 1498 is being sold at retail level at Tk 1800. Somewhere more. That is, more than 300 taka is being charged for 12 kg cylinder.

Talking to various buyers in the capital, it is known that not only cylinders are not available at the fixed price, the supply of gas has also decreased in some places. In other words, the concerned retailer says that he has no gas. Consumers say that by creating an artificial crisis, the traders are increasing the price of cylinder gas in an unfair process. Saiful Islam, a resident of Dhanmondi, who works in a private company in the capital, said that a few days ago, when the price of the cylinder was Tk 1,232, it had to be bought for more than Tk 1500. After the latest price hike now they are charging 1800 rupees. Which is robbery

Import of LPG

• Mentioning the problem of opening LCs as another reason, he said, we open LCs every month and import LPG. LC is not opening consistently in current situation. If two LCs are opened in a month, the continuity of one LC opening with the other is creating a gap. Dealers and shopkeepers are taking advantage of that gap. When the dealers see that the company is getting less product this month, they sell cylinders at a higher price to meet the target. You won't get accurate pricing from them. And when the shopkeepers see that the supply is low, they also stock up and increase the price. So the problem is created holistically. At the price the company wants to sell, prices go up to the consumer due to middlemen. We always try to sell gas at the fixed price.

Khalilur Rahman Khan, member secretary for administration and legal affairs of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission said, if the price of LPG cylinder is kept high, customers can complain. However, we have not yet received any written complaint in this regard. Disciplinary action must be taken if specific allegations are found. This trend of price increase will be reduced if the consumers are aware. Consumer rights are also working on this.

 
National Consumer Rights

•   Masum Arefin, deputy director of the complaints department of the National Consumer Rights Directorate, said, "We have received several verbal complaints but no written complaints." However, we are conducting raids at various places on our own initiative and fining the accused. If the price is higher than the fixed price, if the customer complains, we will take action.