Speakers at a webinar have urged the energy regulator to fix the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a rational way through public hearing.
"We want the LPG price to be fixed on equitable basis protecting the interest of consumers," said Ghulam Rahman, president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) while speaking at the seminar titled "LPG Pricing Dilemma" on Saturday.
Echoing the CAB president, Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said the government wants the LPG price not to fluctuate, according to a UNB report.
"Monthly fluctuation in LPG price may create an internal shock among consumers that may not be acceptable," he added.
The Energy Adviser said the government's vision is to reach commercial fuel to rural areas as part of its move to transform each village as an urban township that would ensure every facility like in urban areas.
The webinar was also addressed by president of LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) Azam J Chowdhury, BUET's Prof Ijaz Hossain and EnergyPac LPG executive Sheikh Nawshad Rashid.
Head of Bashundhara LPG Marketing Jakaria Jalal made a keynote presentation while Energy and Power editor Mollah Amzad Hossain conducted the seminar.
Welcoming the government's move for establishing an LPG terminal at under-construction Matarbari Deep Sea port, Azam J Chowdhury said transparency should be maintained in the project implementation process.
Referring to newspaper report that Power Cell was assigned to hire a consultant for LPG terminal project, he said the Cell has enough experience in this sector.
"It would be wise to give such a job to Petrobangla or any other entity that have experience in dealing with petroleum sector. Or else, inefficiency in such a job would escalate the LPG price," Chowdhury added.
He said the LPG consumption in the country is rising fast as now 1.0 million metric tonnes of LPG is being consumed as it was just 8,000 metric tonnes in 2017.
He also urged the government to enhance the capacity of the Department of Explosive to ensure safety in LPG's household use.
