HC stays gas price hike from June 1
The High Court today stayed for six months the second phase of gas price hike made effective from June 1.
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The court also questioned the legality of the government decision to increase the gas price in two phases.
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It issued a ruling asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why the public notification for increasing the gas price from March 1 and June 1 should not be declared illegal.
As per the new hike, households using double burners have to pay Tk 800 each from next month compared to Tk 650 now, while those using single burners have to pay Tk 750 each against Tk 600. The prices would be increased again on June 1 by another Tk 150 for each gas stove.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on February 23 raised gas prices for all consumers by 22.7 percent and decided to implement the hike in two phases.
The stay order for six months was issued on the effectiveness of a portion of the government notification for increasing the gas price from June 1 to Tk 950 and Tk 900 respectively for double burner and single burner respectively.
The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan came up with the order and ruling following a writ petition filed by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) challenging the legality of the government mass notification for the gas price hike.
Architect Mubassher Hossain, convener of national complain handling committee of CAB, submitted the petition on Monday saying that the authorities can increase the gas price once a year under the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act 2003 but the authorities have increased the gas price for two times this year.
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