Jamaat slams LPG price hike, demands rollback

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Monday expressed "deep concern" over the latest increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, demanding the government withdraw the decision immediately.

In a statement, he condemned the government's move to raise the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder by 223 taka in one go, setting it at 2,060 taka.

He said the hike would add to the suffering of ordinary people already struggling with rising prices of essentials.  The increase within just one month would further inflate household expenses, he said, particularly for low- and middle-income families.

Calling for effective market monitoring and accountability, Porwar argued that raising prices alone does not discharge the government's responsibility.

LPG has long been sold in the market at prices well above the government-set rate, he said, with allegations that 12kg cylinders are selling for between 2,200 taka and 2,300 taka in the capital alone. 

"Passing extra costs on to consumers in the name of higher commissions for importers, dealers and retailers is in no way acceptable," he said.

The Jamaat leader said the public cannot be made to pay for mismanagement in the energy sector and failure to control the market. Repeatedly raising fuel prices without considering people's purchasing power, he said, does not reflect a responsible government.