Residents in Meherpur district alleged excessive hike in the price of liquefied petroleum gas with 12-kg cylinders selling at nearly Tk 2,000, well above the government-fixed price of Tk 1,728.
Visits to retail and wholesale markets in Meherpur sadar, Mujibnagar and Gangni upazilas on Friday morning found that LPG cylinders were being sold at Tk 300–400 higher than the official rate in most outlets.
Also at many shops no price lists were found on display.
Consumers alleged that a coterie was controlling the market, leading to inflated prices and artificial shortages through stockpiling.
‘I have never been able to buy LPG at the government-fixed price,’ alleged Asma Khatun, a resident of Bospara in Meherpur town, adding, ‘Now I have to pay more than Tk 2,000 per cylinder.’
Similar complaints came from consumers buying LPG cylinders from Hotel Bazar, Court Bazar and Boro Bazar in Meherpur town, as well as from several markets at Gangni and Mujibnagar upazilas.
In some areas, LPG cylinders were seen stored in open spaces under direct sunlight, raising safety concerns.
Gangni resident Abeda Sultana alleged that irregular pricing had become the routine.
‘Even when cylinders are available, they are not sold at fixed rates. If you pay extra, you get it immediately,’ she said.
Retailers, however, blamed distributors for the situation, alleging that they received cylinders at higher rates without proper receipts, forcing them to sell at elevated prices.
Meherpur assistant director of the department of national consumer rights protection Mamunul Hasan said that they had identified price manipulation during their monitoring activities.
He added that legal action would be taken if specific complaints were filed.
Meherpur deputy commissioner Shilpi Rani Roy said that special market drives would be conducted soon, while upazila administration was instructed to strengthen monitoring.
To stabilise the LPG price, consumers urged authorities to ensure strict enforcement of price regulations, regular market inspections, mandatory display of price lists and exemplary punishment for those involved in irregularities.
