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Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dealers have announced a nationwide shutdown of LPG sales on October 15 and 16, demanding an end to alleged harassment by law enforcement agencies, a revision of their commissions and the reintroduction of unused gas cylinders into the market.
Selim Khan, president of the LPG Gas Business Cooperative Association, announced the programme at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday.
He warned that dealers would suspend LPG sales indefinitely across the country if their demands were not met after the two-day shutdown.
Khan said only six to seven companies were currently active in the market, leaving several hundred thousand gas cylinders unused across the country.
He urged the government or LPG companies to refill the unused cylinders and distribute them through dealers to ensure consumers could purchase gas at fair prices.
The dealers also demanded that companies be barred from independently changing LPG prices after the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announces its monthly rates. Any subsequent price adjustment, they said, should be made through the regulator.
The association alleged that many companies had ceased operations, while some others were unable to open letters of credit (LCs) to import LPG, leaving thousands of cylinders unused.
The dealers also accused the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and executive magistrates of imposing unreasonable fines and harassing businesses.
Khan said the BERC chairman contacted him during the press conference and informed him that the commission was reviewing the dealers’ demands and would take necessary steps soon.