Leftist parties have called for a half-day shutdown across Bangladesh for Sunday (Jul 7) to protest the latest hike in gas prices.
The strike called by the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) will be observed from 6am to 2pm.
BNP, Gano Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP), Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, Ganasamhati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh, and a number of other political opposition groups have already thrown their weight behind the general strike.
The government raised the price of gas from Jul 1, in eight categories—including that of household users—despite persistent opposition from consumer rights groups.
According to the latest announcement by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the new weighted average prices of gas at the consumer level is Tk 9.8 per cubic foot, a 32% increase from Tk 7.38.
Ruling Awami League and the political coalition it leads —the 14-party Alliance—have already expressed their dissent over the government’s recent move to raise gas prices in all sectors.
Awami League presidium member, and 14-party alliance spokesperson Mohammad Nasim has urged the government to reconsider, and retract the decision of raising the price, saying the recent move to increase gas price will put added pressure on the general public.
However, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, who sits on the Cabinet, maintained that there is “logical reasons” behind the price revision.