Dhaka: Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BSD) called a half-day shutdown for 28 February in Dhaka, protesting the latest hike in gas pricing.

Starting at 6:00am, the hartal will continue till 12:00 noon.

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

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

However, the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinees will remain out of the hartal purview.

Earlier, on Thursday, gas prices had been raised for all types of consumers which will come into effect in two phases as per the decision of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).

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

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 June 1.

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