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RAJSHAHI, Oct-11: In just four days, the price of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) shot up by Tk 60 to 100 per cylinder from last Thursday in the city's filling stations and retailers.
Customers alleged that LPG dealers and retailers increased prices taking advantage of Ramadan and the Durga puja festival. On the other hand, dealers and retailers claimed that due to short supply of LP gas in the market, they were compelled to raise the price, but assure it would return to normal within the next few days.
It is known that a huge bulk of LP gas filled cylinders of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna companies under Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) as well as of Bashundhara, Kleenhit and other private companies are supplied to dealers of Rajshahi. But the customers are not getting LP gas cylinders according to their requirement even after waiting for months.
According to sources, in connivance with local officials of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna companies, some dishonest gas dealers and traders are selling the LPG cylinders without label in the black market. From there the gas cylinders are being supplied to the customers under different names and at a high price.
While visiting some markets on last September 29, it was observed that LP gas cylinders of Bashundhara company were being sold at Tk 585 to Tk 600. Just the previous afternoon, customers had to buy the same cylinder for Tk 650 to Tk 690. Similarly, Jamuna gas is being sold at Tk 600 per cylinder and, Kleenhit at Tk 650.
The government fixed the price of each cylinder of gas of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna at Tk 467 but dealers are charging exorbitant prices which is almost beyond the purchasing capacity of the low income and fixed income group people.
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