Dhaka: Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is likely to conclude its public hearing on Thursday with the public debate on gas price hike proposals of Petrobangla and three other companies.

The energy watchdog has held debates on the proposals of different companies, including Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), Titas Gas, Pashchimanchal Gas, Bakhrabad Gas, Karnaphuli Gas, Jalalabad Gas and Sundarban Gas, after the public hearing began on 7 August.

In the hearing, all the companies placed their proposals seeking an average 94.92 percent increase in the gas price arguing that they need extra operational cost for increase of their cost due to their employees' salary enhancement and other expenses, reports UNB.

According to the proposals of the companies, household gas price will be hiked by highest 140 percent where gas price will be raised to Tk 16.80 per unit from Tk 7.

The cost of single burner oven will go up to Tk 1100 from the existing Tk 600 while the double burner Tk 1200 from the existing Tk 650 per month. The proposed hike is 83 and 85 percent respectively for single and double burner ovens.

The compress natural gas (CNG) gas price has been proposed to be raised by 83 percent to Tk 49.50 pere unit from the exiting Tk 27. In this case, the consumer will have to pay Tk 57.50 for per unit GNG in place of the current price of Tk 35 per unit.

Similarly, the gas price was proposed to be doubled in other sector as well.

But in most of the cases, the technical evaluation committee (TEC) of the BERC found no justification in favour of their argument as it found that the companies are still having surplus earnings than operational costs.

Participating in the debate, different consumer right groups and trade bodies vigorously opposed the companies' proposals.

As per the BERC law, after conclusion of the public hearing, the three-member commission headed by its chairman will take decision on the issue.