BNP opposes gas price hike move, calls it anti-people

Dhaka, Jun 30 – Describing the government’s decision to raise the gas price as an unjustified one, BNP on Sunday warned of waging a street movement if it does not back off from the move.
In a statement, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued the warning.
“The gas tariff has been increased at the consumer level illegally only to plunder public money. It’s an illogical and inhuman move. Common people will suffer badly due to the gas price hike,” he observed.
Stating that the gas price was raised sixth times in the last 10 years, Fakhrul said the current government of ‘midnight election’ has turned into a machine to suck the blood of people.”
“I, on behalf of BNP, strongly condemn and protest the gas price hike step. The anti-people must move away from such a decision. Or else, we’ll wage a strong movement on the streets across the country together with people,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Monwar Islam said the average gas price has been raised by 32.8 percent for the retail consumers in the country with effect from Monday (July 1).
As per the new price hike, the household consumers having single burner will have to pay Tk 925 a month instead of the existing Tk 750 while the double burner users will have to pay Tk 975 instead of the existing Tk 800. – UNB