Several hundreds of consumers using LP gas cylinder in Sirajganj and Pabna districts are being harassed by a section of dealers and sellers due to rise in its prices repeatedly.
Lack of proper monitoring and necessary steps by the authorities concerned are main reasons behind the instability of the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) markets, sources said. Dealers and sellers of different private companies continued to rise prices of gas cylinders as per their will, creating artificial crisis of the same.
The situation has been prevailing since January last. In the first week of January, the price of each cylinder was increased by Tk 50, whereas Tk 80 was increased in the first week of February. On the other hand, the price of each cylinder has increased by Tk 200 in March. So, the price of each cylinder has increased by Tk 330 during the last two months.
Sources said, the retailers and consumers are in dilemma due to sudden rise in the prices of LP gas cylinder. They are unable to purchase it by their regular income. Very often they are involved in altercation with each other over the issue.
Sources said that, each cylinder of Basundhara gas was sold at Tk 1,350 in January against the earlier price at Tk 1,300. In February, it was sold at Tk 1,430 increasing the price at Tk 80 against the previous price at Tk 1,350. At present, it is being sold between Tk 1,620 and Tk 1650 each.
The price of clean heat gaz cylinder was increased with Tk 50 in January and each cylinder was sold at Tk 1,370 against the previous price at Tk 1,320. In February, each cylinder was sold at Tk 1,450 and at present it is being sold at Tk 1,650.
Cylinder of Jamuna gas is now being sold at Tk 1,580. But, it was sold at Tk 1,330 in January against the previous rate at Tk 1,280. In February, it was sold at Tk 1,380.
It is mentioned that, a few connections for gas through pipeline was given at different houses and industries in Sirajganj and its neighboring districts after setting up the office of Pashchimanchal Gas Company Limited (PGCL) at Nalka in Sirajganj causing to reduce the prices of cylinder gas then.
But now, the new connections of gas through pipeline have remained suspended in the area following the government decision.
Sources said that, the annual demand of LPG is 3 lakh metric tonnes in the country. Of the demand, 17,000 metric tonnes is produced from government sector, while 60,000 metric tonnes is imported by private sector.
Abdul Mazid, In-charge of Jamuna Oil Depot at Baghabari in Shahzadpur told The Independent that, they supply LPG cylinders to two districts, Sirajganj and Pabna. The cylinder of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is being sold at previous rate and there is no rise in its price. But, some unscrupulous dealers and sellers of different private gas companies are involved with frequent rising of gas prices, harassing the consumers.
Some dealers and sellers seeking anonymity told this correspondent that they were forced to increase the price of cylinder due to short supply.