BNP stages demo against gas price hike

BNP on Tuesday staged demonstrations at different parts of the capital protesting the fresh price hike of gas, reports UNB.

As part of their countrywide protest programme, BNP leaders and activists brought out processions in different thanas under the party's Dhaka south and north units.

BNP's Dhaka south city unit took out a procession at Naya Paltan, led by party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

In a brief address before bringing out the procession, Rizvi said the government has increased the gas tariff at consumer level to "inflict sufferings" on people.

He said the government is least bothered about public sufferings as it depends on law enforcers to cling to power ignoring people.

The BNP leader said the gas price has been hiked to create an opportunity for ruling party men to plunder public money. "We strongly protest and condemn the unfair decision of the government."

He urged the government to revoke the gas tariff hike decision in the interest of people.

Otherwise, Rizvi warned, their party together with people will wage a strong street movement.

On Sunday, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Monwar Islam said the average gas price has been raised by 32.8 per cent for the retail consumers in the country with effect from Monday (1 July).

As per the new price hike, the household consumers having single burner will have to pay Tk 925 a month instead of the existing Tk 750 while the double burner users will have to pay Tk 975 instead of the existing Tk 800.

On Monday, BNP announced countrywide demonstration for Tuesday protesting at government's decision to hike gas tariff.