Government has not raised gas prices, energy minister tells parliament
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has claimed that the government has not raised the price of gas. He also said the government has taken various projects to supply gas through biogas.
The minister made the remarks on Thursday (12 November) in the National Parliament, replying to a supplementary question from Nurunnisa Siddika, an MP from a reserved women's seat.
Nurunnisa Siddika asked that many factories have closed because of the gas crisis. Even though gas prices have been raised repeatedly, customers have to pay bills without receiving gas. In this situation, she asked whether the government has any plan to set up biogas plants to solve the household gas problem.
In reply, the energy minister said, 'Gas prices have not been raised repeatedly. In the war situation, Bangladesh has to buy gas at a much higher price. Even today we bought gas at a high price in the government purchase committee. We are buying gas to keep power plants running and for household supply. In these cases the government has not raised the price of gas.'
On LPG prices, he said, 'The government does not import LPG. The private sector imports it and the price is determined through the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). The government has no direct role here.'
On biogas, the minister said, 'The government has started working on renewable energy. Various projects have also been taken in the case of biogas. Arrangements have also been made to supply gas produced from biogas to surrounding areas.'
