The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) importers faced intense criticism from consumers, distributors, and consumer rights activists during a public hearing over widespread overcharging, artificial supply shortages, and regulatory inaction.
Opening the hearing at BIAM Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday, October 29, 2026, BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed—alongside Commission members Abdur Razzaque, Mo. Mizanur Rahman, and Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Shahid Sarwar—heard petitions for commission increases across the LPG supply chain. Importers proposed dramatically increasing their 12kg cylinder margin from the existing Tk 200 to between Tk 300 (Meghna Group) and Tk 478 (Omera). The BERC Technical Committee recommended increasing the importer margin to Tk 280, while setting distributor fees at Tk 50 and retailer commissions at Tk 70 (up from Tk 45). If adopted, the official price of a 12kg LPG cylinder will rise from Tk 1,837 to Tk 1,976.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Advisor Khalilur Rahman criticized BERC for failing to enforce set tariffs, pointing out that while the official rate is Tk 1,837, 12kg cylinders are selling for Tk 2,200 to Tk 2,500 in retail markets. Industry operators, including Meghna Fresh LPG CFO Abu Sayeed Raja and Orion LPG COO Anik Kumar Sen, highlighted that the sector holds Tk 40,000 crore in private investments and faces high costs—including 15% interest on bank loans, requiring 31 distinct licenses costing Tk 3 crore, and 15 million idle cylinders held by non-importing companies. Chairman Jalal Ahmed promised strict market monitoring and the rollout of digital software to curb artificial hoarding. Written opinions on the hearing can be submitted until Sunday, November 1, 2026.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Staff Reporter • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
