LPG cylinders are being sold for Tk 100–200 more per cylinder than the government-set prices, State Minister for power, energy, and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid said today.
"It`s a huge amount of money. We need to think about how we can provide LPG to consumers at a reasonable price. There is no other option to ensure the fixed price in this sector," he said at a workshop titled "Secured Uses of LPG Cylinders in Hotels and Restaurants".
The session was held in the capital`s TCB Bhaban and was organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
Nasrul Hamid also said that the LPG operators have dealers all across the country. Agents are chosen by dealers, and agents choose sub-agents. That is why the cost of LPG rises.
"The BERC is monitoring the market properly. But it`s the responsibility of the dealers to ensure fixed prices in their respective areas. BERC should also find a way to bring the dealers under their regulatory process", he added.
According to the state minister, the yearly demand of LPG was 66,000 tonnes in 2009, which now stands at over 14 lakh tonnes a year.
The minister added, "We see cylinders in front of hotels and restaurants without any security measures ... Any kind of accidents can happen at any time."
BERC Chairman Nurul Amin presided over the workshop which include the Secretary of the Energy Division Nurul Alam and Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker. The keynote paper was presented by former Buet professor Maksud Helali.
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