Dhaka: A half‐day hartal, enforced by Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) protesting gas price hike is underway in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The hartal supporters brought out a procession at Shahbagh intersection in the morning in support of their shutdown programme and then they took position there.

Though some educational intuitions are closed, traffic across the city is normal.

However, SSC examination centres and vehicles carrying examinees are out of the purview of the shutdown.

Earlier on 24 February, CPB and BSD called the hartal in the capital from 6:00am to 12:00noon protesting the gas price hike.

CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim, General Secretary Syed Abu Jafar Ahmed, and BSD General Secretary Khalequzzaman announced the programme.

CPB-BSD leader asked government to cancel the decision of new gas price. At the same times, they also called the city dwellers to join the hartal and make their protest successful. 

On 23 February, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised the gas prices for all consumers which will come into effect in two phases.

Newly appointed BERC chairman Monwar Islam, who recently retired as power secretary, announced the new gas prices at a press briefing at its office.

In the first phase to be effective from March 1, household consumers will have to pay Tk 750 for single burner stove while Tk 800 for double burner stoves in a month.

At present, the gas price is Tk 600 for single burner and Tk 650 for double burner.

The same consumers will have to pay Tk 900 and Tk 950 for single and double burners respectively from 1 June.

Similarly, the motor vehicle owners using CNG will have to pay Tk 38 for per cubic metre from March 1 and Tk 40 from 1 June this year.