LPG traders withdraw strike

The LP Gas Traders Cooperative Society Limited has withdrew its indefinite strike on marketing and supplying LPG across the country.

Society president Md Selim Khan announced the decision following a meeting with the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) at its office.

During the meeting, the traders placed three demands– an end to ongoing administrative drives across the country, increasing distribution and retailers' charges and assurance of uninterrupted supply of LPG.

BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed assured the traders that the commission would discuss the administrative drives with the authorities and take legal steps to revise the charges.

He also said the current supply crunch may ease by next week, as the LPG Operators' Association informed BERC that they have arranged alternate measures to import the product amid a vessel shortage.

Selim Khan, however, noted that traders cannot sell a 12-kg cylinder for less than Tk 1,500, as they purchase it from operators at over Tk 1,300.

In response, the BERC chairman said there is no logic for selling LPG above the commission's fixed January rate of Tk 1,306 per 12-kg cylinder.