CNG prices may go up in 10 daysDecision on transport fares today

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With fuel prices hiked for the fourth time this year, the state minister for energy has said compressed natural gas (CNG) is also likely to become costlier soon, reports bdnews24.com. "The price of CNG may be raised within 10 days to harmonise it with fuel price," Muhammad Enamul Huq told the news agency on Friday. The state minister, however, refused to comment on how much hike there could be. CNG price was raised from Tk 17 to Tk 30 in two phases this year. The first hike was announced on May 12 and the second on Sep 19. Prices of petroleum products saw a hike of Tk 17 in four phases. After the last hike on Thursday, diesel is selling at Tk 61 a litre, kerosene at Tk 61, petrol at Tk 91, octane at Tk 94 and furnace oil at Tk 60. CNG filling station owners threatened in November that they would go on strike if CNG prices were raised without a public consultation. The government refrained from raising CNG prices at that time despite previous suggestions that there might be such a move. Meanwhile, another report adds, the government will make a decision on increasing transport fares today (Saturday), following the rise in the prices of all types of fuel oil. Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Ayubur Rahman Khan, said this to reporters following a meeting between the transport owners and Communications Minister Obaidul Quader at the Sarak Bhaban in the city on Friday. The meeting came a day after the government hiked the price of all fuel oil by Tk 5 per litre each for the fourth time this year. The increased price came into effect from zero hours of Friday. "The meeting of the costing committee formed to fix the transport fares will be held at BRTA office today morning. This will be followed by another meeting at the Sarak Bhaban at 3pm with the minister for the approval," the BRTA chairman added. Bangladesh Road Transport Association general secretary Khandaker Enayetullah, who attended the meeting, said the transport fares would not be increased until fixed by the ministry.