LP gas traders withdraw strike after government warning
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Within hours of the government's warning, the Bangladesh LP Gas Traders Association withdrew its strike.
On Wednesday (October 14) at noon, LP Gas Cooperative Association leader Abu Taher confirmed the withdrawal of the strike.
Earlier that day at noon, the association leaders held a meeting with the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
After the meeting, trader leader Abu Taher told Agami'r Samoy that they withdrew the strike because the government assured them that their demands would be met. A public hearing on the matter will be held on the 29th. After that, BERC will finalize the matter of their demands.
In the morning, the energy and commerce ministers held a meeting with LP gas operators at the ministry. After the meeting, at a briefing, the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, warned that action would be taken if LP gas traders did not withdraw their announced two-day strike.
The minister said, "The government wants to keep the price of LP gas at a tolerable level. If anyone tries to raise prices by calling a strike, it will not be tolerated." At that time, he called for the withdrawal of the two-day strike. Otherwise, he warned that action would be taken.
At the briefing, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said, "After the threat of a strike at the dealer level, the government wants to give a clear message. If anyone manipulates essential goods or acts against the public interest, the government will suppress it with a heavy hand."
He said the crisis would be resolved through discussion. However, the government will not accept any attempt to hold the country hostage.
Earlier, on October 12, the LP Gas Traders Association Limited announced that all LP gas shops across the country would remain closed on October 15 and 16. The organization's president, Selim Khan, made the announcement at a press conference at the National Press Club that day. He warned that if the demands were not met, an indefinite strike would be called after the two days.
That day, he raised seven demands, including increasing dealers' commissions and stopping fines and harassment by the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection and executive magistrates.
On October 4, BERC increased the price of a 12 kg cylinder by Tk 252 to Tk 1,837. But LP gas is not available anywhere at this price. Sellers are willingly charging Tk 400-500 more per cylinder.
However, LP gas operators have said that they are selling LP gas to distributors at the government-fixed price. No extra money is being taken.
