Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Saturday said the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) must be kept under control to tackle the country’s short-term energy crisis, stressing that consumers will not benefit properly unless the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder comes down below Tk 1,000.
Speaking at a policy conclave titled ‘LPG in Bangladesh: Economy, Environment and Safety’ held at a city hotel, the adviser said the current market price of a 12kg cylinder — over Tk 1,200 — is depriving both industrial and household users of fair benefits.
Expressing frustration, he said, “Traders are selling LPG cylinders worth Tk 1,200 at Tk 1,400 — they must take responsibility for this. Reckless business practices cannot continue.”
He warned that mobile courts would be deployed to curb overpricing in the LPG market.
The adviser accused a section of politicians and their business allies of deliberately creating an artificial energy crisis.
“Businesspeople must move away from the mentality of building mountains of wealth and siphoning money abroad for excessive profits. Power plants have been built far beyond the country’s actual demand without ensuring energy supply, and countless illegal gas connections have been provided — all done by politicians,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to boost energy exploration, the adviser said, “Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) is getting new drilling rigs, though the overall progress so far remains unsatisfactory.”
Bangladesh has been forced to import expensive LNG due to local gas shortages, he said, adding, “We are working to expand LNG conversion capacity through new FSRUs. These are long-term processes. We must now explore how LPG can be better utilized in power generation and other sectors.”
BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan, who was present at the event, said blaming politicians or businesspeople will not help as the country’s natural gas reserves are depleting. “We must plan now to address this shortfall.”
“Expanding energy supply and ensuring its accessibility at people’s doorsteps should be the main goal,” Moyeen Khan added. “Energy is the key to a nation’s development. As people progress, energy demand increases — the modern world cannot function without energy.”
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Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed said per capita energy consumption must rise if Bangladesh wants to achieve developed-nation status, adding that LPG can play a significant role in that process.
He said LPG prices are adjusted every month based on the exchange rate of the US dollar and Saudi Aramco’s contract prices.
“BERC is working to ensure consumers get LPG at fair prices while also reducing bureaucratic hassles for businesses seeking LPG licences,” he said.