Readers’ Voice: LPG: A Burning Proof of Governance Failure
LPG is no longer a luxury in the country—it has become a daily necessity for low- and middle-income people in both urban and rural areas. In the absence of pipeline gas, millions have been forced to depend on LPG.
Yet the market for this essential fuel has now become a symbol of extreme irregularity, instability, and lack of control. The LPG crisis is not merely a market failure; it is a burning proof of weakness in governance.
In recent times, abnormal price fluctuations, uncertainty in supply, and the absence of effective oversight have caused severe suffering for ordinary people. Although the government sets an official price, it has little to no practical effect.
Prices vary from dealer to dealer; consumers face excuses of artificial shortages, unavailability of cylinders, and irregularities such as underweight cylinders. In effect, consumers are being held hostage.
The idea that the market will “self-correct” under such conditions is divorced from reality.
Even more concerning is the one-way price adjustment mechanism. Whenever international prices rise, the impact is immediately reflected in the domestic market. But when international prices fall, the domestic market shows no such response.
This one-sided adjustment clearly indicates a weak regulatory framework and questionable enforcement capacity. Without policy transparency and accountability in the energy sector, such crises are bound to persist.
Government silence or slow response has further complicated the situation. Despite LPG being an essential commodity, there is little evidence of effective price control, enforcement of a realistic maximum retail price (MRP), or regular market monitoring. The absence of exemplary punishment against offenders has emboldened unscrupulous traders.
The way forward is clear.
First, strict enforcement of the officially fixed price must be ensured. Second, a coordinated and transparent management system must be established across all stages—import, storage, and transportation. Third, regular mobile courts and strengthened market surveillance are essential.
At the same time, it is imperative to consider targeted subsidies or support programs for the poor and marginalized populations.
The LPG crisis is neither isolated nor temporary. It is a test of the state’s regulatory capacity, the transparency of policymaking, and the commitment to protecting public interest.
If the government fails to take visible and effective action now, this everyday kitchen crisis may soon turn into broader social discontent—responsibility for which cannot be avoided.
(Dr. Muhammad Mahtab
Hossain Mazed
Columnist and Researcher
Founder Chairman, Jatiya rogi
Kalyan Society
Email: [email protected])