The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has strongly demanded that the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) ensure the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at government-fixed rates without increasing prices or associated service charges. The consumer rights advocacy body also urged immediate investigations into artificial market shortages, secret hoarding, and overcharging, calling for decisive punitive action against perpetrators.
CAB President AHM Shafiquzzaman outlined these demands in an official letter sent today to the BERC Chairman ahead of the upcoming public hearing on LPG price adjustments.
Referring to BERC’s scheduled public hearing regarding price adjustments for public and private LPG, CAB warned that any new hike in gas prices or service charges would impose severe financial strain on low- and middle-income families.
The letter highlighted that on October 4, BERC hiked the price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder by BDT 252 to BDT 1,837. However, media reports indicate that retailers across local markets are flouting official rates, charging consumers BDT 500 to 600 above the fixed tariff.
CAB clarified that a rise in global LPG prices does not justify a proportional increase in domestic transportation, storage, or distribution expenses. Consequently, using import price fluctuations as a pretext to raise local charges and commissions across all tiers remains entirely unjustified.
CAB urged BERC to reject irrational cost proposals from importers, publish itemized cost breakdowns for storage and distribution, enforce mandatory price display boards at all retail outlets, and account for real consumer experiences alongside technical evaluations during the public hearing.
