Dhaka, July 7 (UNB) – Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon on Sunday alleged that the recent gas price hike was aimed at creating a market for LPG in the country.
Speaking in Parliament standing on the point of order, he also said such hike in the gas price without discussion in the House is a disregard to the House by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (Berc).
Citing the minister concerned that the price hike was made to adjust the gas price and reduce the subsidy, Menon said whereas India is importing 1000 cft LNG at a price of US$ 6.5, Bangladesh is procuring it at US$ 10.5.
He said the government has already increased the LPG price by 32 percent. “Now, we see that by this price adjustment, the price of LPG has also been increased. When the supply of CNG will be stopped, CNG stations will be turned into LPG stations. Now, this is the matter of debate whether this decision of price hike has been taken to create the market for LPG,” he said.
The Workers Party chief said the hike will make impacts on household, industries and transportation which means there will be an effect on the whole economy.
“There’s reaction among the people ….there’re resentment and disappointment among them. I’m myself also disappointed. Because, in the budget discussion, I praised the state minister for power and energy for his success and asked him to discuss the price hike matter in Parliament so that all MPs can participate in it,” he said.
Menon said after the approval of the budget, the decision of gas price hike came within only four hours. “This is a complete disregard to Parliament… this was done just bypassing Parliament. Honourable Speaker you’re the guardian of the House. You must look after the matter,” he said addressing Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah who was in the chair at that time.
He urged the Speaker to ask the state minister for power to inform the House of the matter. “The government will take the decision and there’s no doubt about it. But it’s the responsibility of the government to listen to the people and obey Parliament,” he said.
He said that Berc held mass hearings and there was a case pending with the court regarding the matter. “The gas price was increased bypassing that case. So, the decision is illegal and defamatory to the court. They defamed Parliament and the court and above all people,” he added.
Menon also called upon the Speaker to allow his notice submitted for discussing the matter in the House.
He also said Jasod MP Hasanul Haq Inu, AL MP Moin Uddin Khan Badal, Workers Party MP Fazle Hossain Badsha, Mustafa Lutfullah and Lutfun Nesa Khan also signed the notice.
