LPG traders have withdrawn their two-day strike after the government warned of strict legal action and after talks with the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). LPG cylinder shops across the country will therefore not close on Thursday (15 October) and Friday (16 October).
Abu Taher, a leader of the LPG Traders' Cooperative Society Limited, confirmed the withdrawal on Wednesday afternoon, saying the traders called off the programme after the government assured them their demands would be considered. BERC will hold a public hearing on their demands on 29 October and take a final decision afterwards.
Earlier on Wednesday, government representatives met LPG operators at the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in the Secretariat. At a joint press conference afterwards, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir urged the traders to withdraw the strike and warned of tough legal action if it went ahead.
The energy minister said the government wants to keep LPG prices within consumers' means and supplies normal. Attempts to raise prices by striking over an essential commodity will not be accepted, he said, and action will be taken under the law in such situations.
Photo: Tasma3197 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0); a representative picture of an LPG cylinder
Source: News Bangla 24
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