Plans are being made to control the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by mentioning the rate on the cylinders.
Since the price is not mentioned now, retail sellers charge more for a 12kg cylinder. Despite repeated complaints by consumers, companies have not taken any measure.
An energy division official says: “we are considering the issue of the consumer and have asked for necessary steps to be taken. Recently, at a meet held at the ministry of energy, the price of 12kg LPG has been fixed at Tk 995 but Tk 1200 is often taken from consumers.”
However, it’s found that due to transportation cost and other expenses, LPG gas cylinders become pricey.
Chief inspector of the explosives department Shamsul Alam says, “We have not come across any direct explosion involving an LPG cylinder.”
Explosions happened due to leakage and user carelessness, he added.
Visiting sites of explosions, cylinders were found to be intact, he added.
State minister for energy, natural resources Nasrul Hamid said, “There must be a pricing formula, considering the purchasing capacity of the consumers.”
The LP gas sector has been opened to the private sector to ensure easy access to alternative gas, he said and added: “However, in recent times, there have been several disasters which took place due to consumers’ lack of awareness.”
The explosives department may formulate a budget to raise awareness with support from LPG operators association, said the minister.