Dhaka: State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid has said the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will be fixed shortly in consultation with all its stakeholders.

‘We’re trying to fix the LPG price at an affordable level... We’ll continue our effort to do so,’ he said while addressing the launching ceremony of Petromax LPG at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the city, reports the UNB.

 The state minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of the widespread allegation of different companies selling LPG at retail level at irrationally higher prices in absence of mandatory fixed-price regulation.

As the supply of natural gas to residential consumers remained suspended for shortage of production, the government is trying to popularise the LPG among such consumers.   

The function was also addressed by ruling party lawmakers Dr. Habibe Millat and Mahfuzur Rahman, Youth Group chairman Rezaqul Haider and Youth Group managing director Firoz Alam.

So far 55 private companies were given licenses to operate LPG market having annual production capacity of 2.350 million tons.

Urging the companies to do their business keeping in mind the social responsibility, the state minister said the LPG market operators can move for community-based selling system through pipeline distribution.

In this case they can set up a common bottle in the underground of an apartment or housing complex and supply it to different flats through pipeline, he added.   

Nasrul Hamid also urged the LPG operators to pay extra attention to ensure the safety in the LPG marketing and supply to residential and commercial users.

Nasrul Hamid said the government plans to provide the gas supply from imported LNG to the industries as opportunity cost of natural gas higher in this sector.