An increase in industrial gas prices will inevitably result in higher consumer prices, warned former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo. 

He urged the government to address illegal gas connections and curb wastage as measures to control the rising fuel subsidy burden.

BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo on Wednesday said, "We do not want the government to continuously subsidise liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices, but at the same time, we do not want a price hike for natural gas at the industrial level either. Rather, we want prevention of gas theft, illegal usage, and wastage."

The Bangladesh Oil, Gas, and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) has proposed to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to increase the price of gas for industrial use from Tk30.75 to Tk75.72 per unit. This proposal has sparked disappointment and concern among the country's business community.

Abdul Awal Mintoo has suggested alternative means to gradually end LNG subsidies.

The BNP leaders told Bangladesh Pratidin that in November last year, Titas Gas disconnected over 7,000 illegal gas connections. These included connections to 97 industrial factories, 56 commercial establishments, and 6,851 residential facilities. Through these connections, a total of 19,569 burners were consuming gas illegally. He emphasised that instead of raising prices, the crackdown on illegal connections should be intensified.

BDST: 1204 HRS, JAN 09, 2025
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