Hike in gas price

Price of the gas tariff has gone high again and it is for the sixth times in the last ten years. It will put pressure on the middle-class people who are already facing pressure due to price hike of everyday commodity.

The energy regulator of Bangladesh has decided to increase gas price by 32.8 per cent for all users from July 01. The monthly price of the single burner will rise to Tk 925 from Tk 750 while that of the double burner will rise to Tk 975 from Tk 800.

The gas price hike will increase production cost in the largest export-based sector of the country by 01 per cent. There was a strong objection from many quarters but the government was stick to its decision.

Recently the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) identified 22 sources of possible corruption at Titas Gas but we have seen no tangible action taken against it. Corrupt officials are making a big profit by providing illegal gas connections and causing loss to the national exchequers.

ACC revealed that there are 0.118 million illegal connections of Titas Gas and I think it is a tip of the iceberg. If the government can reduce corruption from the gas sector they will gain much more than increase the price of this daily necessity.

Nadim Javed

Tejgaon, Dhaka