ASIFUR RAHMAN and SHAHEEN MOLLAH

LPG users are not getting cylinders at the government-set rate anywhere in the capital despite a record 29 percent hike by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

A 12kg LPG cylinder, officially priced at Tk 1,728 last week, is now selling between Tk 2,000 and Tk 2,200 across Dhaka, widening the gap between regulated and market prices.

Even though the 12kg cylinder’s regulated price was Tk 1,341 in March, consumers had to pay between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 across the market for much of the month. Towards late March, the price started rising and even before the regulator’s decision to hike the price, traders were reportedly selling cylinders at between Tk 1,900 and Tk 2,100.

Visits to Karwan Bazar, Banani, Mohakhali, Banasree, Kochukhet, Ibrahimpur, Shewrapara, Kazipara, Mohammadpur, Bhasantek, Mirpur and Pallabi found that the prices vary by area and company, but remain consistently above the fixed rate.

“There is no supply shortage, but companies and dealers are quoting higher prices -- we have no option but to sell above the government rate,” said Mohammad Munna, a vendor in Bhasantek’s Dewanpara area.

Disputes with customers have increased, particularly among low-income buyers who are aware of the price hike but not the pricing mechanism.

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