The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is likely to announce an average increase of 17-20% in gas prices on Sunday.
An official of BERC said the monthly bill for residential customers may be increased from Tk975 to Tk1,080-Tk1,100, reports Bangla Tribune.
Besides, prices will be increased by adjusting in other sectors so that there is no pressure on the common people, the official added.
Regarding the gas subsidy, the BERC member said: "We are going to announce an increase in the price of gas considering the subsidy of Tk6,000 crore in FY 2021-22, with a portion of the profits of the gas distribution companies being given to LNG with funds from several places."
On Thursday, BERC officials had a day-long meeting with the Prime Minister's Power and Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury on gas prices.
The meeting decided to adjust the price by slightly increasing the gas bill for residential customers.
Asked why there was such a rush to raise gas prices on that day, another member of BERC said there was a time constraint because the decision to increase gas prices has to be announced within 90 days of the public hearing as per law.
Following a four-day public hearing on gas prices in March, the companies sought a 117% increase in gas prices as well as an increase in distribution margins.
At the public hearing, the BERC technical committee opined that the existing Tk0.25 charge per unit (cubic metre) is not required by any company.
A member of the commission said that even if the companies say 117%, BERC is planning to increase the gas prices by only 17-20%.
