Bangla Press Desk: The interim government’s Energy Adviser, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, has said that controlling the price of LPG is crucial to tackling Bangladesh’s short-term energy crisis.
He stresses that the current price of over Tk1,200 per cylinder is too high for both households and industries.
Speaking as the chief guest at a policy conclave titled “LPG in Bangladesh: Economy, Environment and Safety”, held on Saturday at the Grand Ballroom of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital, he said the price should be brought within Tk1,000 to ensure proper accessibility and affordability for consumers.
“The main challenge in the LPG sector is price. A cylinder currently priced at Tk1,200 is being sold in some places for Tk1,400 to Tk1,500. This is unsustainable. Effective price control, better logistics, and improved private sector efficiency are essential,” Fouzul Kabir said.
He warned that energy security cannot be ensured without responsible business practices.
The adviser also criticised the country’s gas supply planning, saying the current shortfall was not a natural crisis but “a planned situation” created by vested political and business interests. He said the authorities had ignored actual gas demand when planning electricity generation and pipeline expansion, resulting in thousands of illegal household and industrial connections.
Fouzul Kabir noted that domestic gas production is decreasing by around 200 million cubic feet annually, while only 70 million cubic feet of new gas is being added each year. To fill the gap, the government has been importing LNG, which he acknowledged is expensive and controversial.
“LNG import is a long-term process. In the short term, LPG can serve as an effective alternative to ease the supply crisis,” he added.
BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the event as special guest, while BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed was present as guest of honour.
The adviser reiterated that coordinated efforts between the government, regulators, and private sector are essential to stabilise the energy market and protect consumers from price shocks.
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