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LPG prices shoot up in Rangamati

Shantimoy Chakma, Rangamati
Sufferings of users have mounted as the prices of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas in the hill town shot up over the last couple of weeks.
Lack of regular monitoring of markets by the authorities gave the unscrupulous gas dealers as well as retailers the scope to sell gas at high prices, locals alleged. Hoarding by the dishonest government LP gas dealers has added to the situation, they said.
Besides residents, most people including restaurant and tea-stall owners use gas in the town. They use it from four sources — government LP Gas and privately owned Total Gas, Bashundhara and Kleen Heat LP gas.
Though the supply by Total Gas, Bashundhara and Kleen Heat LP gas often remains steady in the local markets, their prices shoot up due to crisis of government LP gas.
While visiting different markets in the town on Wednesday, this correspondent found the traders selling a cylinder of LP Gas atTkl250to 1350 in place of the government fixed price
ofTk750.
The price of Total Gas shot up just in a week. A cylinder is now being sold at Tk 1670 whereas it was Tk 1450 only 7-10 days ago.
A cylinder of Bashundhara LP Gas is also being sold at Tk 1680 in place of Tk 1450 and Kleen Heat is being sold atTk 1700 in place of 1450 around two weeks ago, market sources said.
"I bought government's LP gas since I started using gas at my house about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, I now often buy other gases at almost double their prices", said Joton Das of Banarupa.
Some policemen and officials of district administration who were supposed to monitor gas price in the town remain indifferent to their job as they allegedly get gas either in fixed price or free of cost from the dealers, alleged several users.
On the other hand, the private gas distributors, in collusion with the local retailers, are allegedly increasing gas prices. It becomes evident when the government gas supply falls short, they said.
"Despite all sincerity I
could not supply gas regularly to the townspeople due to shortage of production", said Moniruzzaman Mohsin Rana, a government LP gas dealer at Banarupa.
Refuting the allegation of hoarding gas, he said he never sold it at higher prices.
Meanwhile, many gas users in the town have started using firewood because of unusual hike in gasprices.
"I am now using firewood as gas prices have gone beyond my capability," said Dipan Chakma, adding that his neighbours have also taken the decision to use firewood.
Contacted, Nandit Roy, the town's lone distributor of Total Gas, said they were compelled to raise the price as the company increased the price through a notification a few days ago.
Surendra Nath Chakrabarty, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, said action would be taken in case of any irregularities by dealers.
"We always monitor the market to keep the prices of all essentials reasonable," the DC added.