Dhaka: BNP on Tuesday termed anti-people the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd’s proposal for hiking the gas prices for domestic users, and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

‘We think this proposal for raising gas tariffs is illegal, and there‘s no need to do that right now. If the gas prices are enhanced again, it’ll affect the economy and afflict sufferings on the public life. We demand immediate withdrawal of this anti-people proposal,’ said BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal.

He came up with the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s central office in Dhaka, reports UNB.

During a public hearing by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Monday, Titas Managing Director Mir Moshiur Rahman proposed increasing the gas prices for domestic users by around twofold.

As per the proposal, household gas price will be hiked by the highest 140 percent, raising it to Tk 16.80 per unit from Tk 7. The cost of a single burner oven will go up to Tk 1,100 from Tk 600 while the double burner will be Tk 1,200 from Tk 650 per month.

Disagreeing with the proposal, a technical evaluation committee (TEC) of the BERC has failed to find grounds for raising the price at all, as the company is on course for surplus revenue to the tune of Tk 359.63 crore at the prevailing price.

Alal said it will be an utter waywardness if the government unilaterally raises the gas tariffs without a complement assessment based on all stakeholders’ opinions about how much it will affect the economy and public life under the overall situation of the country.

Mentioning that the gas tariffs were raised 7-8 months back, he said there is no chance for hiking it further before a year as per the BERC rules and regulations. ‘So, it’s an anti-people proposal.’

‘The gas price hike proposal has clearly manifested that the current isolated regime has no responsibility towards people,’ the BNP leader observed.

Stating that Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) now annually makes profit around Tk 400 crore, he questioned why it is trying to impose a further burden on people by increasing the gas tariffs. ‘We’re worried over its move and strongly protest it.’

Alal warned that people will be forced to take to the streets if the government runs after only making profits like private companies instead of providing them with services.

He suggested the government to curb corruption in the gas sector instead of increasing gas tariffs.