3 MPs slam govt for gas price hike

Three lawmakers criticised the government for increasing the price of gas saying it will put an adverse impact on general people.

Speaking in parliament, they also said it is tantamount to show disgrace towards the parliament as the price of gas has been increased without discussion in the House especially when parliament is in session.

They also raised questions whether it is legal to increase the price of gas without approval of the House.

Taking part in the point of order, Workers Party lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon said Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission increased the gas price within four hours of passage of the national budget for 2019-20 where the finance minister promised that price of an item has not increased in the budget.

“It is very much humiliation towards the parliament. The House has been avoided through taking such decision [price hike of gas],” he said.

“People are not only showing reaction against the decision, but they have also anger and disappointment due to price hike of gas as it will put adverse impact on the daily life of people, industries and on the economy,” Menon said.

“Why the price of gas was hiked? Is it because to correct the market of LPG [Liquefied petroleum gas]?’ he said.

Saying that he has submitted a notice in parliament for holding a discussion on price hike of gas, Menon urged the deputy speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah who was presiding over the sitting at that time to accept his notice.

Menon also said Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal lawmaker Hasanul Haq Inu, AL lawmaker Moyeen Uddin Khan Badal, Workers Party lawmakers Fazle Hossain Badsha, Mustafa Lutfullah and Lutfun Nesa Khan also supported his notice.

JSD lawmaker Shirin Akhter while raising a supplementary question criticised the government for the gas price hike.

Main Opposition Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam, in his supplementary question, raised question whether it is legal to take the decision of price hike of gas without the approval of the parliament.