According to sources in the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the daily demand for gas in the country is 3.80 billion cubic feet. With 3 billion cubic feet of gas, it is possible to meet a large part of the demand in the industrial and residential sectors. However, the supply volume currently is less than 2.50 billion cubic feet.
Such a situation arose due to the decline in imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) due to the ongoing dollar crisis in the country. At the same time, domestic production of gas in various gas fields has also decreased. If gas imports can be increased then the situation may improve somewhat.
Consumers Association Bangladesh (CAB) has termed the proposal to increase the price of gas without ensuring uninterrupted supply as illogical.
Energy expert and CAB senior vice-president M Shamsul Alam told Prothom Alo that although people are not getting regular gas supply, they will have to pay the full gas bill to continue the connection. In such a situation, the proposal to increase gas prices is not acceptable at all. An attempt is being made to increase the market of LPG by creating a crisis in gas supply. There are interests of big business groups behind this. People are already troubled by the rising prices of everyday essentials.
“How can they even think about raising gas prices in the meantime?” He asked question.
*This report appeared on the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu