Writ seeks MRP mark on LPG cylinder
FE REPORT | Tuesday, 14 January 2020
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court on Monday, seeking its directives to issue a rule upon the government to explain as to why it should not be directed to take immediate step to ensure maximum retail price (MRP) mark on the body of the LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder.
The petition also wanted to know in the rule as to why the government should not be directed to set up a price fixation committee to determine the retail price of LPG.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Moniruzzaman filed the petition as public interest litigation. He said that the High Court may hear the petition next week.
The energy secretary, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and director general of the directorate of national consumers rights protection have been made respondents in the petition.
After filing the petition, the lawyer said, "To create an enabling environment, efficient, well-managed and sustainable energy sector in Bangladesh for providing energy at just and reasonable cost and protection of consumers' interest and satisfaction through fair practice is the goal of the energy regulatory authorities. But the authorities do not care the public interests in case of increasing the prices of the energies."
An annexed report of the petition said, "The price of liquefied petroleum gas has been increased by 20 per cent at retail stores in the country on January 5, around four days after the prices rose in the international market amid a looming supply shortage. Users have been paying an additional Tk 200 per 12kg cylinder."
"LPG prices went up in the international market on January 1. According to market players, the number of LPG users reached 20 million in the country last year. In the international market, the price of each tonne rose on January 1 to US$ 589 from $ 440," the report reads.