NN Online:
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has vehemently protested the recent increase in the price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder, labeling the decision as entirely “illogical and anti-people.”
Speaking to reporters after paying tribute to party founder Ziaur Rahman on Tuesday, party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the interim government has taken this move due to its lack of accountability.
Earlier, Rizvi, along with the leaders of the newly formed convening committee of the BNP’s Manikganj district unit, placed wreaths at Zia’s grave.
“This decision will put immense pressure on low-income and poor people, such as rickshaw pullers, CNG drivers and small shopkeepers,” he said.
The BNP argued that the price hike of the cylindered gas, which is used for household purposes, will exert serious strain on the economy. “It will burden the poor. This decision is completely unjustified and anti-people. It would not have occurred had there been an elected government,” he said.
The BNP leader also said their party and other democratic groups have been supporting the interim government, but warned that no undemocratic measures should be taken that would cause further hardship for the poor and low-income people.
He voiced concern that the prices of all essential items, including rice, have already exceeded the purchasing power of the poor. “In such circumstances, raising the price of the gas cylinder will only add salt to the wound of the people.”
On Sunday, the government raised the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder by Tk 19, with the new retail price set at Tk 1,478.
