Due to the lack of uninterrupted gas supply in residential areas, LPG cylinders remain one of the primary sources of hope for people.
Demand for 12kg LPG cylinders is especially high. As a result, different companies sell these cylinders according to demand. To keep them affordable for consumers, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has fixed the monthly price of 12kg cylinders. However, the price set by the government exists only on paper.
Although the price of a 12kg cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has remained unchanged this month, consumers must pay an additional Tk50 to Tk200 per cylinder.
As a result, consumers have to buy 12kg cylinders from the market at a price of Tk1,450 to Tk1,700.
Gas cylinder companies are demanding a commission on this extra price.
On the other hand, BERC authorities say that market monitoring is ongoing.
At least 24 LPG suppliers, including Fresh, Jamuna, Omera, Orion, Petromax, BM, Beximco, Bashundhara, United, Uni, Pramita, Sena, and Universal, are producing and supplying LPG cylinders to the markets of various districts, including Dhaka.
After visiting several markets in the capital, including Dhanmondi Shukrabad Bazar, Kathalbagan, Hatirpul, Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Agricultural Market, Mirpur-10, Banasree, and Old Dhaka, and talking to dealers from various companies, this correspondent found that traders are selling a 12kg cylinder at Tk1,580 to Tk1,600 for Omera, Tk1,550 for Fresh, Uni, and Petromax LPG, and Tk1,650 for Orion. On the other hand, Jamuna, Bashundhara, and BM are selling it at Tk1,700.
Anjuman Ara, a resident of Kalabagan Lake Circus and Dhanmondi 32, said: "I have lived in this area for 12 years. Even if I find a good house, there is no gas supply. So I have to buy cylinders. For the past two years, I have heard about reductions in cylinder prices on TV and in newspapers, but in reality, I have never seen it. I have complained to the consumer rights office several times, but they are doing nothing. So I don't bother with these things anymore."
Khadija Akhter recently moved to a rented house in South Banasree. Since there is no gas at home, she ordered a cylinder for tTk3,000, including several charges.
Khadija said: "There is no gas supply system at home. So we have to get a cylinder. From what I saw at a few shops, we cannot get a cylinder connection for less than Tk3,000 at the moment. They charge Tk1,000 to Tk1,100 for a cylinder bottle, Tk1,500 to Tk1,600 for gas, and Tk3,000 for a gas pipe and connection. However, the government is claiming that gas is being sold for Tk1,455. There is nothing we can do. We are in a trap.”
Md Shaheen, a dealer of Satota LPG gas in Banasree, said: "I am selling Uni for Tk1,550 and BM and Omera for Tk1,600 to Tk1,750."
When asked why it is being sold above the government-fixed price of Tk1,455, Shaheen said: "We have to buy from the company for Tk1,460 to Tk1,500. Then we deliver it to homes and connect it. There is a charge for this, too. Those who do it also have to be paid. As a result, since we cannot buy it from the dealers at the government price, we cannot sell it to the public at that price."
A cylinder trader from the Kathalbagan area, on condition of anonymity, said: "The highest prices are for Orion, Jamuna, and Beximco cylinders. As a result, the public gets a slightly lower price, so they use Fresh, Omera, and BM more. But no dealer in the market can offer cylinders below Tk1,500. What will happen if the government sets the price? If the producers do not accept it, we as retailers cannot buy it from them. So we are forced to sell at a higher price."
It is known that 95% of LPG suppliers are private operators. Although the government agency is the regulator, the market is dominated by private companies.
Energy experts believe that there is no alternative to strict monitoring in implementing government prices.
Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Energy Adviser Dr M Shamsul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune: "The declared price of LPG is not being implemented in the market in most cases. It always remains on paper. This issue has been raised with BERC several times. Now, a new commission has come. They will have to take this responsibility. If we continue traditionally as before, people's trust and confidence in the commission will never be built."
Regarding the matter, BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune: "We are receiving many complaints that the market price of LPG is higher than the declared price. Therefore, letters have been sent to the Consumer Rights Protection and district administrations to monitor the markets.