Half-day hartal today

Some leftist political parties will enforce a half-day hartal today in the capital protesting the government decision to hike gas prices.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), Biplobi Workers Party, Gonotantrik Biplobi Party, Gonosanghati Andolan and Gonotantrik Bam Morcha called the strike on Friday.

The BNP and the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports extended their support to the hartal.

The strike would start at 6:00am and would continue till 12:00pm. Vehicles carrying the Secondary School Certificate examinees will remain out of purview of the hartal, said a joint press release of the CPB and BSD.

The parties will also stage demonstrations and hold protest rallies across the country today demanding the government withdraw the decision.

They would force the government to withdraw the decision through a tougher movement, said the press release.

On Thursday, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised gas prices by 22.7 percent and decided to implement the hike in two phases.

As per the revised prices, house holds using double burners will have to pay Tk 800 each from next month, up from Tk 650, while those using single burners would be paying Tk 750 each against Tk 600.

The prices would be increased again on June 1 by another Tk 150 for each gas stove.