Siena:LPG distributors have announced a two-day nationwide shutdown of cylinder sales on October 15 and 16, in protest against what they describe as 'harassment by magistrates' and to demand a re-evaluation of their sales commissions.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the announcement was made by Selim Khan, president of the LPG traders cooperative society, during a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. Khan warned that if their core demands are not addressed within the two-day period, the association will implement an indefinite nationwide suspension of LPG sales.
Industry leaders noted that only six to seven companies remain actively operational out of numerous licensed operators, resulting in hundreds of thousands of gas cylinders lying unused across the country. They urged the government and active LPG operators to refill these idle cylinders and distribute them through authorised dealers to ensure consumers can purchase cooking gas at fair prices.
The distributors' platform also demanded that the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) ensure that once monthly prices are fixed, individual companies cannot alter them arbitrarily. Any subsequent price adjustments, they argued, must go strictly through the regulatory body.
Furthermore, the association criticized the National Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and executive magistrates, accusing them of subjecting dealers and retailers to unreasonable fines and harassment amid ongoing market volatility. They highlighted that many companies have suspended operations or are struggling to open Letters of Credit (LCs) for raw material imports due to foreign exchange and financial pressures.
Selim Khan mentioned that the BERC Chairman contacted him, assuring that the commission is actively reviewing the traders' demands and will take necessary steps soon.