BD Digest Desk
There is a severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Bandarban. Taking advantage of this, traders are allegedly selling 12-kg LPG cylinders at almost double the government-set price.
Consumers said that the government-set price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder is Tk 1,850. However, in Bandarban city, it is now being sold for Tk 3,300 to 3,500.
Many traders are also refusing to provide full gas cylinders after taking deposits of empty cylinders. As a result, customers are forced to buy new cylinders along with the gas.
Visiting some LPG sales centers in Bandarban city, it was seen that many shops were locked outside. But lights were on inside, and there was a stock of LPG cylinders. Some traders said that there were allegations that gas was being sold to customers even though the shops were closed.
Emma Marma, a resident of Madhyampara in Bandarban Sadar, said that their house ran out of gas while cooking in the afternoon. After that, her husband called several shops in the city to inquire about cylinders. But no shopkeeper agreed to replace the empty cylinder with a full gas cylinder.
“They said that if we want to get gas, we have to buy a new cylinder. They asked for 3,500 taka. We haven’t cooked at home since yesterday,” said Emma.
He also said that he has a three-and-a-half-year-old boy and a seven-and-a-half-month-old girl at home. He gives them bread to eat before they go to bed at night. His other daughter is in eighth grade. She went to school without eating anything at night or in the morning.
When contacted by some LPG dealers and retailers in Bandarban under the guise of a customer, some said that they are not giving gas filled cylinders instead of empty cylinders. To get gas, the customer will have to buy a new cylinder. For this, they are asking for a price of 3,500 taka. However, some have agreed to pay 3,300 taka.
Rakib, owner of M O Enterprise in Ujanipara, said that customers have to buy new cylinders to get LPG. The price of a new cylinder is 1,500 taka.
He also said that several large companies are not having gas supplies.
Osman supplies gas under Evergreen Enterprise. He said, at the moment they only have Independent’s ‘I Gas’. No other company has LPG. That’s why they can’t fill empty cylinders with gas. It will cost 3,500 taka to buy a new cylinder of I Gas.
However, consumers complain that a business syndicate is selling cylinders at higher prices, using the supply crisis as an excuse.
Angchamang Marma, president of the Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) Bandarban district branch, said, “If there is a gas crisis across the country, it is a different matter. But if each LPG cylinder is sold for 3,500 taka in Bandarban, then it is wrong. I urge the district administration to take legal action against such business syndicates.”
Rana De, an official of the Bandarban district office of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, did not respond to several calls to inquire about this matter.
As the Bandarban Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) is on leave, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md. Lutfur Rahman is performing additional duties.
He said he was not aware of the sale of LPG cylinders for 3,500 taka. The administration has not received any complaints about this.
He also said, “I will look into the matter quickly. If evidence of LPG being sold at an inflated price is found, legal action will be taken.”
https://stapravda.ru/20221228/reyting_samyh_populyarnyh_hostingov_v_rossii_196445.html, рейтинг хостингов России подтверждает, что выбор надежного провайдера важен для бизнеса.