The Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) has called a half-day nationwide general strike was called on Sunday to protest the latest hike in gas price.
The strike will be observed from 6am to 2pm.
BNP, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP), Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, Ganasamhati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh, and a number of other political opposition groups have already thrown their weight behind the general strike.
The government raised the price of gas from July 1, in eight categories—including that of household users—despite persistent opposition from consumer rights groups.
According to the latest announcement by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the new weighted average prices of gas at the consumer level is Tk9.8 per cubic foot, a 32% increase from Tk7.38.
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Governing Awami League, and its political alliance—the 14-party grand alliance—have already exposed their dissent over the government’s recent move to raise gas prices in all sectors.
Awami League presidium member, and 14-party alliance spokesperson Mohammad Nasim has urged the government to reconsider, and retract the decision of raising the price, saying the recent move to increase gas price will put added pressure on the general public.
However, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader maintained that the gas price hike decision was a fair one.
