Dhaka:LPG distributors have declared a two-day nationwide shutdown of cylinder sales on October 15 and 16. This move is in protest against what they describe as 'harassment by magistrates' and in demand for a re-fixing of their commission rates.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Selim Khan, president of the LPG traders cooperative society, announced the suspension at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club. Khan warned that if their demands are not met during the two-day shutdown, the association would implement an indefinite nationwide suspension of LPG sales.
Industry leaders state that despite numerous licensed operators, only six to seven companies are actively operational. This situation has left hundreds of thousands of gas cylinders unused across the country. The association has called upon the government and active LPG operators to refill these idle cylinders and distribute them through authorized dealers to ensure that consumers can purchase cooking gas at fair prices.
The distributors' platform also demanded that the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) prevent individual companies from making arbitrary price changes once monthly prices are set. Any subsequent price adjustments, they insist, should be managed through the regulatory body.
Additionally, the association criticized the National Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and executive magistrates for imposing unreasonable fines and harassment on dealers and retailers amid ongoing market volatility. They noted that many companies have either suspended operations or are facing challenges in opening Letters of Credit (LCs) for raw material imports due to foreign exchange and financial pressures.
Selim Khan mentioned that the BERC Chairman has contacted him, assuring that the commission is actively reviewing the traders' demands and will take necessary actions soon.