Consumers in Dhaka are facing acute supply shortages and severe price gouging when purchasing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, with 12 kg cylinders selling for up to BDT 2,300—far exceeding the government-mandated price.
On October 4, 2026, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised the official retail price of a 12 kg LPG cylinder by BDT 252, fixing it at BDT 1,837. However, field visits across capital neighborhoods like Rampura, Khilgaon, and Boubazar on Friday (October 9, 2026) revealed that retailers were routinely charging between BDT 2,300 and BDT 2,500, often refusing sales to general buyers without personal references. LPG distributors attributed the crisis to reduced supply from major operators—including Meghna Fresh, Omera, I-Gas, Jamuna, Petromax, and BM—since late September, as well as unviable operating margins. The LPG Business Welfare Association submitted a formal letter to BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed, asserting that distributor overhead expenses require a margin of BDT 150 per cylinder rather than the existing BDT 50 fixed in 2021. BERC confirmed that commission adjustments require public hearings and stated that a commission meeting scheduled for Sunday will address market stabilization measures.
— 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].
