Legal Action Threatened Against Attempts to Disrupt LPG Market Through Strike
The government has warned of legal action against businesses attempting to create market instability by suspending liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sales across the country. LPG traders have announced a two-day sales suspension on Thursday and Friday.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood issued the warning on Wednesday following a meeting with LPG operators at the Secretariat.
“Attempts to repeatedly increase prices by disrupting product supplies are unacceptable,” the minister said, adding that traders should resolve their problems through dialogue rather than interrupting the market.
He explained that the global energy crisis had created challenges for LPG imports and supplies. Despite fluctuations in international prices and uncertainty over import sources, the government was working to ensure that consumers could obtain LPG at affordable prices.
According to the minister, the ongoing global conflict has caused instability in energy markets worldwide. Private importers in Bangladesh are also exploring alternative sources of supply to address the situation.
He said discussions with LPG operators had focused on preventing long-term supply shortages and developing strategies to ensure adequate LPG supplies for the coming year.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has been asked to take necessary measures to maintain stable supplies and prices. The minister added that the government was also working to address traders' concerns, with another meeting scheduled for October 30.
To prevent artificial shortages at the dealer level, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and district administrations have been instructed to remain active. The government will take further steps to restore and maintain normal market conditions, he said.
Addressing concerns over higher LPG prices in Bangladesh compared with neighbouring India, the energy minister said the Indian government provides subsidies to keep prices lower for eligible consumers under specific programmes.
Bangladesh, however, does not provide similar subsidies. Private companies import LPG and sell it in the open market, leaving domestic prices exposed to fluctuations in international markets, he explained.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, who also attended the press conference, said the government was holding discussions with businesses to ensure stable LPG supplies and prices.
However, he warned that the government would not tolerate attempts to destabilise the market through strikes to force authorities to accept business demands.
The commerce minister added that LPG is imported by private companies rather than directly by the government. BERC determines LPG prices every month in line with international market conditions.
