Jamaat concerned over LPG price hike

Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed deep concern and protest over the decision to raise the price of a 12 kg LPG cylinder by 223 taka to 2,060 taka.

In a statement issued on Monday (November 2), he said, "When the people of the country are bewildered by the spiraling prices of essential commodities, raising the price of LPG abnormally yet again will create new suffering in people's lives. An increase of 223 taka in the price of a 12 kg cylinder in just one month will further increase the household expenses of ordinary people. In particular, bearing this additional expense will become difficult for lower- and middle-income families."

Golam Parwar said, "It will not do to end one's responsibility by merely raising prices. For a long time, LPG has been sold in the market at prices higher than the government-fixed rate. There are complaints that a 12 kg cylinder is being sold in the capital itself for 2,200 to 2,300 taka. Yet effective market monitoring and accountability on this matter are not being ensured. Piling an extra burden of expense on consumers in the name of increasing the commissions of importers, dealers and retailers is in no way acceptable."

He further said, "The blame for mismanagement in the energy sector and failure to control the market cannot be placed on ordinary people. Repeatedly raising fuel prices without considering people's purchasing capacity does not reflect the government's sense of responsibility."

In the statement, Jamaat's Secretary General called on the government to immediately withdraw the decision to raise LPG prices. At the same time, he demanded ensuring the sale of gas in the market at the government-fixed price, taking effective measures to stop syndicates and unreasonable profits, and strengthening regular market monitoring to protect consumers' interests.