News Desk :
Despite the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) setting the price of a 12-kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder at Tk 1,364 for July, many consumers in Dhaka report having to pay between Tk 1,500 and Tk 1,600 – significantly above the official rate.
The disparity has triggered frustration among households and small businesses, already grappling with rising living costs.
“I visited three shops in my area and none sold it for less than Tk 1,500,” said a resident of Uttara. “If the government fixes a price, why isn’t it enforced? Ordinary people are suffering.”
Kokhon, a restaurant owner, echoed the concern, stating, “We use multiple
cylinders daily, and prices are consistently high. Retailers ignore the official rate. It’s all dictated by a syndicate.”
Akhi Afrin, a housewife from Diabari, added, “LPG is not a luxury – it’s a basic necessity. How are we expected to manage our household expenses like this?”
Surprisingly, many consumers appear unaware of the official government rate. Several interviewed gave similar responses, indicating a lack of public awareness or clarity regarding pricing, UNB reported.
Responding to the situation, Raju Ahmed, Assistant Director (Tariff-2) at BERC, said that market monitoring is being conducted by the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection in coordination with Deputy Commissioners’ offices.
“It should not be happening,” he said. “If such irregularities exist, I will escalate the matter to senior authorities.” He also urged consumers to file formal complaints with the Directorate, including receipts as evidence, to prompt enforcement action.
Retailers, however, claim they are not intentionally overcharging, but are themselves buying LPG cylinders at inflated prices from distributors.
“We’re purchasing cylinders at over Tk 1,450,” said Jahidul Islam, an LPG seller in Uttara. “If we sell at BERC’s rate, we incur losses. We’re only trying to sustain our business.”
Another retailer, speaking anonymously, alleged that even distributors are not following the official prices. “There’s no proper oversight. Small vendors like us are unfairly blamed.”
He added that high-demand brands such as Beximco and Bashundhara are particularly costly, contributing to the price hike.
Experts attribute the issue to poor enforcement of BERC’s pricing directives and a lack of transparency in the supply chain.
“Setting prices is not enough,” said one energy analyst and consumer rights advocate. “Unless there is strong monitoring and action against violators – especially at the wholesale level – consumers will continue to suffer.”
Many consumers are now calling on the government, BERC, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to carry out rigorous market inspections and hold distributors and retailers accountable.
Until effective enforcement is in place, the disparity between official rates and real-world prices is expected to persist – placing further strain on everyday households.
