The government on Thursday announced an average gas tariff hike by 22.7 per cent in two phases putting a further pain to the consumers.
The increased gas tariff for all categories of consumers will be effective from March 1 and June 1 respectively.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) came up with the announcement in the afternoon in line with the government’s decision to discourage gas use for household purpose and collect more revenues from this sector to accommodate increased salary of public servants.
As per the new tariff, gas price for two burners stove has been fixed at Tk 800 and for single-burner at Tk 750 in residential sector. These rates will be effective from March 1.
In second phase from June 1, residential consumers will have to pay Tk 950 for two burner gas stove while Tk 900 for single burner.
Household consumers are now paying Tk 600 for the single burner gas stove while Tk 650 for double burners.
The price of gas for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for driven vehicles has seen a hike up to Tk 38 per cubic metre from March 1 while Tk 40 per cubic metre from June 1.
BERC has also increased gas price for commercial use to Tk 14.20 per cubic metre from March 1 and Tk 17.04 from June 1.
Gas price for captive power generation, fertiliser factory, commercial and tea garden have also been increased.
Previously gas price was hiked in 2015 when tariff for two burners was increased to Tk 650 from Tk 450 and Tk 600 from Tk 400 for single burner.
The average tariff hiked was 26.29 per cent in that period.
Per cubic metre gas price for CNG vehicles was hiked to Tk 35 from Tk 30.
The gas price was also hiked in all sectors in 2009.
