The LPG Gas Traders Cooperative Association (LPG Gas Babasayi Samabay Samity) has officially called off its planned two-day nationwide strike scheduled for October 15 and 16, following a successful dialogue with the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
Organizational Secretary of the association, Abu Taher Qureshi, confirmed the decision on Thursday (October 15, 2026), stating that the withdrawal came after BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed assured distributors that a formal public hearing will be conducted on October 29 to review retail margins, bottling costs, and supply constraints. The commission assured traders that their cost structures and commission demands will be factored into the upcoming November tariff notification. Furthermore, BERC agreed to review recent fines and cases filed against retail shop owners by mobile courts and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP).
The resolution follows stern warnings issued on Wednesday (October 14) by Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, who cautioned importers and traders that any artificial shutdown or hoarding causing public distress would face immediate legal action. State intelligence reports revealed that the ongoing LPG shortage—which pushed retail prices for a 12kg cylinder well above the BERC-fixed rate of Tk 1,837—was artificially engineered by five major importing companies holding back stock. Intelligence metrics confirmed import volumes remained steady (158,000 MT in August and 156,000 MT in September), disproving claims of physical shortages and exposing price manipulation tied to rising international Saudi CP benchmarks.
— 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].
