LPG cylinder sale suspension causes customer hassle
The LPG Business Cooperative Society has announced an indefinite suspension of LPG cylinder sales across the country. The decision comes as the society demands a revision of cylinder prices and an end to harassment and fines imposed on dealers.
According to the announcement, sales of LPG cylinders have been halted nationwide, including in Dhaka, from Thursday. The suspension will remain in effect until the society’s demands are met, causing significant inconvenience for customers.
In Dhaka’s Ibrahimpur area, no shop currently has LPG cylinders available. A few shops with limited stock are selling them at higher prices.
Arafat, an LPG retailer in the area, told Jago News, “12 kg cylinders are being sold at Tk 2,100 to Tk 2,300. Even in our shop, cylinders are not available. We cannot get cylinders according to demand. Both distributors and companies are charging higher prices. Distributors buy cylinders from companies at Tk 1,370 but sell them to us at Tk 2,000.”
He added, “Today, there are no cylinders anywhere. We brought some from Tongi last night at Tk 2,100 and are selling them at Tk 2,300.”
On Wednesday night (January 7), the LPG Business Cooperative Society instructed distributors and retailers to suspend cylinder sales. The directive also mentioned that LPG extraction from company plants would be halted.
Earlier, the society held a press conference in front of the National Press Club to present their demands. They urged the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to revise cylinder prices and called for an end to harassment and fines on dealers by authorities.
The society warned that if these demands were not met within 24 hours, the suspension of LPG cylinder supply and sales would continue indefinitely across the country.
Selim Khan, president of the LPG Business Cooperative Society, said, “Cylinder sales have been suspended nationwide since Thursday morning. We are scheduled to meet BERC at 3:00 pm today. If our demands are accepted, sales will resume; otherwise, the suspension will continue.”