Khulna LPG buyers still paying above official price

Sixteen days after the government reduced the price of a 12kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder, consumers in Khulna are still paying Tk 50 to Tk 100 above the officially fixed rate, prompting frustration among buyers and raising questions about market monitoring.

During visits to several retail outlets in the city, this correspondent found that a 12kg Bashundhara LPG cylinder was selling for around Tk 1,600, while Omera cylinders were priced at Tk 1,590, Beximco at Tk 1,600, and Sena at Tk 1,560.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on July 2 reduced the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder by Tk 357, fixing the new retail price at Tk 1,528. However, the revised rate has yet to be reflected in Khulna’s retail market. Retailers blamed rising operational costs for charging higher prices.

Md Walid Bin Habib, Assistant Director of the Khulna office of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said drives had previously been conducted to enforce the government-fixed price.

“Campaigns were launched earlier to implement the government-set price. However, action will be taken again against traders found selling LPG above the fixed rate,” he said.

A gas trader on South Central Road, who identified himself as a distributor of Beximco LPG, said selling cylinders at the government-fixed rate would leave retailers with little or no profit.

“We have to bear transportation costs to bring cylinders from the company, and there are additional expenses for home delivery. Selling below Tk 1,600 would result in losses,” he claimed.

Another trader from Sheikhpara alleged that while some businesses could afford to sell LPG at or even below the government-fixed price, many were choosing to keep prices higher to maximise profits.

Consumers, meanwhile, expressed anger over the failure to enforce the revised price.

Mobarak Morol, a resident of Goborchaka, alleged that dealers and retailers were jointly responsible for keeping prices high despite the government’s directive.”The dealers are ignoring the official rate and selling cylinders at inflated prices to make extra profit,” he said.

Nuruzzaman, a resident of Publa in Daulatpur, criticised the lack of effective market monitoring by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.”The consumer rights authority is supposed to inspect the market regularly.

If it carried out its duties properly, traders would be compelled to sell LPG at the government-fixed price, and consumers would not have to suffer,” he said.