Gas crisis leaves households, industry on edge
The gas supply now is the lowest since April 2020, shows data from Petrobangla that informs the severe crisis plaguing the capital’s households as well as the industrial sector.
The situation is unlikely to see an improvement anytime soon. For now, patience of both households and industries is wearing thin over the constricted gas supply.
According to a report published in this newspaper on Wednesday, residents in various parts of capital Dhaka, including Shahjahanpur, Mohammadpur, Jatrabari, Kazipara and Rayerbazar, are grappling with a severe gas crisis that has led to disruptions in daily life.
This crisis, affecting major cities like Gazipur and Narayanganj as well, is compounded by a proposed gas bill increase, adding burden on already distressed households.
Industrialists are also worried over the crisis as many dying factories have already been closed in absence of adequate gas supply.
The proposal for household gas bill increase, submitted by gas distribution companies, aims to raise the gas bill by Tk 512, pushing it to Tk 1,592 for a double burner.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has initiated a review through a technical committee, currently assessing data provided by gas distribution companies.
If approved, this price hike will adversely impact the 4.3 million gas consumers nationwide, with 430,000 being prepaid meter customers.
The rationale behind the proposal claims that consumers without meters use more gas, disregarding that prepaid meter consumer’s pay as per their usage, unlike non-meter consumers who pay a fixed amount.
The gas distribution companies, such as Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL), argue that their losses stem from underestimated gas usage, particularly in sublet industrial areas.
However, a closer look reveals flaws in this argument. Analysis during a public hearing on gas prices in March 2022 found that double burner users, on average, consume 45 cubic meters of gas per month.
The proposed increase seems unjustified and lacks transparency, with the BERC now scrutinising the provided data’s accuracy.
The repercussions of such a gas crisis are keenly felt by residents, who not only face cooking disruptions but also purchase expensive LPG cylinders for their essential needs.
Many complain about gas unavailability during the day, leaving them with no choice but to bear the financial burden of both gas bills and additional cooking expenses.
In light of this situation, the BERC must prioritize the welfare of consumers and ensure a fair assessment of the proposal.
The government must address the root causes of the gas crisis and take prompt action to alleviate the suffering of the affected residents.
The proposed price hike, if unwarranted, should be rejected to safeguard the interests of the millions of consumers who rely on gas for their daily livelihoods.
The BERC must act responsibly and transparently to restore faith in the regulatory process and protect the rights of the citizens.
