The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shot up by Tk 35 overnight in Rajshahi yesterday, prompting immediate protests from consumers and a social body.

All the 19 government-nominated LPG dealers in the divisional headquarters were selling a cylinder at Tk 555, Tk 188 higher than the government-fixed price.

The dealers said the price became effective from Friday midnight following a supply crisis.

With the latest price escalation, the LPG prices went up thrice in last two months. A cylinder was sold at Tk 450 before Ramadan which rose to Tk 475 with the onset of the holy month and reached Tk 520 on November 2.

The latest rise has sparked protest from consumers who are holding a section of dealers, suppliers and government officials be responsible for creating an artificial crisis.

Consumers were seen protesting before LPG dealers' outlets at Shaheb Bazar, Upashahar and Shalbagan.

Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad, a social organisation advocating development of Rajshahi, in a statement asked the government to bring normalcy in LPG trade by December 2, 2004.

Convenor of the Parishad Zamat Khan said they would announce tough movement if situation does not improve within the stipulated date.

Several dealers in the city said Padma, Jamuna and Meghna --three companies under Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation -- managed only one twentieth of the average total demand for 50,000 cylinders for last several months.

The dealers alleged of partisan role by suppliers and said many of them were not getting any supply for last few months.

Manager of Joti Petroleum at Kumarpara in the city said they got 150 cylinders this month against their demand for 2000 cylinders, a dealer of Upashahr got only 48 cylinders against his demand for 1750 cylinders.

Officials at the regional petroleum supply-monitoring cell at Bogra denied the supply shortfall.

They said supply appears to be low against the backdrop of an increased demand.