4,800 crore taka looted from consumers in one month through 12-kg cylinders.
The gas cylinder crisis in the country has reached an extreme stage. A cylinder with a government-fixed price of 1,306 taka is now being sold in the market at 2,500 taka. As a result, ordinary people are spending an additional 1,200 taka for each cylinder.
Analysts say that a few large businessmen (monopoly traders) who control the market are responsible for this price hike. Due to this, nearly 40 million cylinder consumers in the country are facing an additional expense of about 4,800 crore taka every month.
Corruption in government offices and hundred-crore taka contracts, such as the appointment of the Petrobangla chairman, have made this crisis even more complex. The impact of government corruption is clearly evident in the increase in the market price of each cylinder.
Analysts state, “Due to government corruption and market monopoly, an extra burden is being placed on ordinary people. Only the businessmen are benefiting.”
Where the government-fixed price is 1,306 taka, the current market price is 2,500 taka. Additional cost: 1,200 taka × 40 million consumers ≈ 4,800 crore taka.
The main problem is the strong position of businessmen and the collusive corruption involving officials and employees of government institutions.
Now the question is, will the government’s actions help ordinary people, or will this crisis worsen further?
