The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has requested the Cabinet Division to take steps to intensify supervision and monitoring to ensure that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is sold at the BERC-set rates.
It has made the request as some businesses are selling LPG at higher-than-official prices, according to sources.
The commission recently wrote to the division, requesting it to give the required instructions to the state agencies and personnel, including deputy commissioners (DCs), in this regard.
In accordance with Article 9.5 of BERC Order No 2021/07, issued on October 10, 2021, the commission adjusts the prices of private LPG and auto gas every month.
It issues a price-adjustment order in the first week of every month in line with the monthly Saudi Contract Price (Saudi CP) announced by Aramco.
According to the commission's letter, complaints have been received on mobile phones and through various news reports about some businesses selling LPG at higher-than-official rates.
But complaints have not been made specifically, which is why it is not possible for the commission to take legal action in this regard, it has said.
The letter also said the government was committed to ensuring that LPG was sold at official prices to consumers across the country.
It was essential to regularly monitor LPG sales so that it could be ensured that it was sold at the prices announced by the commission and consumer interests were protected, it said.
The Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP) said it had conducted some campaigns to implement the official LPG rates.
The BERC said it expected that the DNCRP, along with the field administration, could play an important role in monitoring LPG sales and thus protect consumer rights.
Earlier, the commission chairman had sent demi-official (DO) letters to all divisional commissioners and district administrators, requesting them to closely monitor LPG sales in the market and take legal measures, if necessary.
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