The Supreme Court yesterday extended its order that upheld the government decision to hike the gas price in the second phase from June 1.

The apex court, however, asked the High Court to hear and dispose of its (HC) rule issued over the legality of the government decision to increase the price in the second phase from June 1.

Following a plea moved by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) seeking a stay on the High Court order, it asked the I IC bench led by Justice Zinat Ara to hear and dispose of the rule by July 31.

On May 30, the SC stayed until yesterday a HC order that stayed the decision of increasing the gas price from June 1.

The HC on February 28 stayed for six months the government's decision to enforce a further increase in the gas price within a span of three months after the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) filed a petition questioning the legality of the move.

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the decision to hike the gas price should not be declared illegal.

Households using double burners have been paying Tk 800 per month from March 1 while Tk 750 for single burners after the energy regulator raised the gas price for all consumers by 22.7 percent.