Household users in five districts of the country’s south-western region, including Jessore and Khulna, stare at a hike in prices of gas supplied by the Sundarbans Gas Company Limited (SGCL).
The Technical Evaluation Committee of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has recommended new gas price for double burner oven at Tk1,080 from existing Tk975 and for single burner oven at Tk990 from existing Tk925 at household consumer level in the five districts, where the SGCL is the distributor.
The SGCL, however, sought to increase the gas price to Tk2,100 (115% increase) for two double burners and Tk2,000 (116% increase) for single burner oven from the existing price.
The SGCL officials placed the proposal during the second day of the public hearing of the BERC at BIAM auditorium in the city on Tuesday.
BERC Chairman Abdul Jalil, and members Maqbul-e-E Elahi Chowdhury, Bazlur Rahman and Mohammad Abu Farooq were present at the hearing.
While making his introductory speech, Abdul Jalil criticized the gas distribution companies for not taking into account the possible social impacts of the price escalation.
Also Read- Petrobangla under fire at public hearing on gas price hike proposal
He said the interest of the masses should be considered first before taking any decision.
“The interest of the people is the first,” he said, adding that the social impact of the price increase should have been included on the price increase applications.
“But the gas companies have overlooked it,” he observed.
The BERC technical committee also made its recommendations to raise the gas price per cubic meter to Tk5.34 from the existing Tk4.44 for power sector, Tk15.50 from Tk13.85 for captive power, Tk5.34 from Tk4.44 for fertilizer factories, Tk12.65 from Tk10.70 for tea industries, Tk27.60 from Tk23 for commercial consumers, Tk49.50 from Tk43 while Tk18 from Tk12.60 for metered gas oven at household consumers.
