Gas crisis in Raipur, LPG not available even at Tk 2,500

Md. Tanju Ahmed, Raipur (Lakshmipur) Correspondent:  Serious irregularities have been alleged in the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders across various areas of Raipur upazila in Lakshmipur. Although the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the regulatory authority, set new prices for April, the market shows no reflection of it. Instead, consumers allege that an additional Tk 500 to Tk 700 per cylinder is being charged above the set price.On April 2, BERC fixed the price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder at Tk 1,728. Previously, in March, the same cylinder was priced at Tk 1,341. Due to a rise in propane and butane prices in the international market, the price was increased by Tk 387 at once. However, instead of restoring order in the market, the instability has worsened after the price hike.A field visit revealed that 12-kg cylinders are being sold for Tk 2,300 to Tk 2,500 in various parts of the upazila. In some places, even higher prices are being charged. The tendency to sell at inflated rates is particularly high in small shops in neighborhoods and rural areas.Local retailer Arman said, “They are compelled to buy cylinders from dealers at higher prices.”Another seller, Mosle Uddin, said, “Company dealers are not supplying gas at the government-set price. With transport costs and extra commissions added, we have to sell at higher rates.”Nur Nabi Foraji, a tea vendor, said—  He has reduced selling tea due to the high price of gas. His five-member family depends on this small shop for their livelihood.However, consumers reject these arguments. They allege that extra profits are being made due to irregularities at various levels of the supply chain and a lack of oversight.Fazle Rabbi, a customer at Haidarganj Bazar, said, “We have never been able to buy gas at the government rate. Every time we have to pay more than Tk 500 extra.”A businessman, unwilling to be named, said, “I had to buy gas for Tk 2,200 the day after the price was announced. The declared price is of no use in reality.”The same situation is seen not only in towns but also in rural areas. Many are being forced to turn to alternative fuels. Al Amin, a resident of Udmara area, said, “Here cylinders are being sold for Tk 2,300 to Tk 2,500. Small shops are effectively out of control—there’s no one to monitor them.”According to stakeholders, there is a lack of transparency at every stage of the LPG supply chain. Failure to supply at government rates at the dealer level, excuses over transport costs, and the tendency for excessive profit at the retail level—combined, these have pushed the situation out of control. The entire burden is being borne by ordinary consumers.Consumers argue that occasional drives cannot solve this problem; regular and strict monitoring is needed. Experts also believe that unless a transparent pricing system is ensured from the dealer to the retail level, it will be difficult to stop this anarchy.Regarding the matter, the Assistant Director of the District Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection said that the market situation is under surveillance. He said two dealers in the town have already been fined for selling gas at excessive prices. Drives and monitoring activities are ongoing.