Energy adviser accuses traders of manipulating LPG prices, directs deployment of mobile courts

Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, has alleged that retailers and wholesalers are manipulating the market to artificially inflate liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement and Economic Affairs at the Secretariat, the adviser addressed recent market irregularities.

He noted that the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had recently announced a modest increase in LPG prices. 

Anticipating this adjustment, certain traders reportedly exploited the situation by hiking prices prematurely, leading to abnormal surges in the retail market.

To curb these practices, the adviser revealed that instructions have been issued to the Cabinet Secretary to deploy mobile courts across all districts nationwide for monitoring LPG prices. District administrations and police forces will collaborate to enforce compliance and take necessary action.

The issue was also raised during Monday's Law and Order Committee meeting. 

The adviser emphasised that there is no genuine supply shortage or other justification for the price abnormalities, describing them as purely the outcome of trader manipulation.

When pressed on the identities of those responsible, he directly pointed to a collusion between retail and wholesale traders. 

The government, he assured, is treating the matter with utmost seriousness and will pursue strict measures against the offenders.