The ongoing instability in global energy markets, exacerbated by the Middle East conflict, has led to a severe shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Jashore.
Despite government-mandated price controls, consumers in the district are struggling to find cylinders at the prescribed rates.
Local retailers have reported a significant supply shortage, with prices of LPG cylinders being marked up by as much as Tk1,800 to Tk2,030 at dealer points. Consequently, consumers are forced to pay inflated prices at retail, far exceeding the government-set rate of Tk1,728 for a 12 kg cylinder.
“Even though the government set the price at Tk1,728, we are unable to find gas at that rate in the market,” said one frustrated consumer. “The price per cylinder has gone up to Tk1,950 to Tk2,100 depending on the company. This is a huge burden for middle-class families like ours.”
The price surge has led to widespread distress among low-income and middle-class families, many of whom are left with no alternative due to the absence of other cooking options. “I live in a flat where gas alternatives are non-existent,” said customer Ariful Islam. “Not everyone can afford to buy electric stoves, and now we’re forced to buy gas at inflated prices. What choice do we have?”
Retailers are receiving only a fraction of the required supply. Sohail Enterprise’s owner, Sohel Hossain, revealed, “For the past two days, we’ve been receiving only one-fifth of our regular supply. If we usually get 100 cylinders, we’re only getting 15 to 20.”
The LPG dealers blame the companies for not adhering to the government’s price guidelines. “We are compelled to buy gas at higher rates from the companies, and we cannot sell it at the government-set prices,” said Mahidul Hasnat, manager at Firoz Enterprise.
Masud Rana, the organisational secretary of the Jashore LPG Association, called for stricter government supervision, stating, “The supply is inadequate, and different companies are setting different prices. The government needs to enforce stringent market monitoring to control this.”
Business leaders attribute the crisis to rising global raw material costs and increased import expenses. “The conflict in the Middle East has had a ripple effect on prices worldwide, and we are feeling the impact here,” said Zahid Hasan Tukun, president of the Jashore LPG Dealers Association.
In light of the ongoing crisis, consumers have urged the government to take immediate action, including reducing tariffs and ensuring a stable supply of LPG.
