Gas price much less than many other countries: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today in parliament said the gas price in Bangladesh is much less than many other countries in the world and those who waged movement in protest of the gas price hike didn’t consider the actual situation.

While delivering her winding-up speech in the budget session of the 11th parliament, PM said: “Those who are waging movement, speaking many things against the price hike, they don’t think about the real situation or they don’t see our development. It is unfortunate.”

She said some 75 per cent hike in gas price was needed but the government increased the gas prices by only 32.8 per cent.

The total cost of importing per cubic feet LNG is Tk 61.12, but it is being sold at Tk 9.80/cf  by providing a huge subsidy, she added.

“Though the gas price was hiked to some extent due to LNG import, the gas prices are much less than other countries in the world,” the premier said.

Refuting the claim of Deputy Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad that the gas price was declined in India, Hasina placed statistics comparing the gas prices between Bangladesh and India.

The Prime Minister said the gas price for household purpose is Tk 12.60/ cubic feet in Bangladesh whereas that is Rs 30-37/cf in India.

She said the gas prices for industrial purpose is only Tk 10.70/cf in Bangladesh against Rs 40-42/cf in India, the CNG price is Tk 43/cf in Bangladesh, which is Rs 44/cf in India.

The gas price for commercial purpose is Tk 23/cf against Rs 58-65/cf in India, Hasina said.