CAB protests Petrobangla's gas price hike proposal

Six gas distribution companies, including the Bangladesh Oil, Gas, and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla), have proposed increasing the price of gas for new industries by more than double.

The proposal was discussed at a public hearing organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Wednesday (February 26), at the Biam Foundation auditorium in the capital.

Under Petrobangla’s proposal, the price of gas supplied to boilers and generators for new industries would rise from Tk 30 and Tk 31.75 to Tk 75.72. Additionally, half of the gas bills for already-approved customers would remain at the existing rates, while the other half would be charged at the new rate of Tk 75.72. The hearing on this proposal is currently underway.

Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has expressed strong opposition to the proposal, forming a human chain outside the BERC building, demanding the cancellation of the hearing.

In the hearing, CAB's energy adviser, Professor M Shamsul Alam, presented the organization's demands to BERC, which include a review of the predatory spending in electricity and energy supply over the past 15 years, with the proposal to reduce prices by cutting these costs; The formation of a tribunal, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, to bring energy criminals to justice; Reforms to the BERC Act to ensure energy justice and protect consumers' energy rights.

Professor Alam further stated that BERC should make a decision within three days. If no decision is reached, CAB will pursue legal action and, if gas prices increase, they will escalate the situation with agitation.

He criticized the proposal as being "extremely anti-people," saying, "The price hike aims to save Tk 3,400 crore at the expense of consumers."