Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders are being sold at Tk200-500 above government-set prices in Faridpur, with consumers blaming inadequate market monitoring and alleged supply shortages.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), setting the price of a 12kg cylinder at Tk 1,837, up from Tk 1,585.
Consumers in Faridpur town, upazila headquarters, and remote markets said they are often forced to pay more than the fixed price despite LPG cylinders being available.
Depending on brand and size, cylinders are currently selling for Tk2,000-2,500 in different markets across the district, locals said. Prices are reportedly even higher in some remote markets in Nagarkanda, Saltha and Madhukhali.
Consumers said the rising cost of LPG is adding to the financial pressure on households already struggling with higher prices of essential commodities.
Two autorickshaw drivers, a hotel owner and a homemaker on Mujib Road in Faridpur town said authorities should strengthen market monitoring and ensure LPG is sold at the fixed price.
The price hike is also affecting small businesses, particularly hotels, restaurants, food shops and tea stalls that rely on LPG for cooking.
Several traders in Nagarkanda market said LPG costs more in village markets than at the upazila headquarters, increasing their operating expenses and reducing profits.
“Cooking costs are rising with the price of gas. Other essentials have also become more expensive. Overall, it has become difficult to run the business as before,” a hotel owner said.
Retailers, however, attributed the higher prices to supply shortages. They said they sometimes have to buy cylinders at higher prices and incur additional transportation costs, making it difficult to sell them at government-set rates.
“We are also buying gas at higher prices. When supply is irregular, we sometimes have to incur additional costs to collect cylinders. We do not want to charge customers more deliberately,” a retailer said.
Locals also alleged that regular monitoring by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection was lacking despite widespread complaints of overpricing. They called for regular drives to ensure LPG is sold at government-set prices.
Faridpur Additional District Magistrate Susmita Saha said instructions had been issued to all upazila nirbahi officers and executive magistrates to monitor LPG prices.