HC halts gas price hike for domestic use

• Previous prices to remain from Aug 1 

The High Court today declared illegal the increase of second phase gas price for the domestic use from June 1.

Delivering a verdict on a writ petition, the court, however, condoned the tariff already collected from the consumers for the months of last June and July.

READ more: HC stays 2nd phase of gas price hike

A consumer will have to pay Tk 750 for using a single burner and Tk 800 for double burner every month from August 1 following the HC verdict, petitioner’s counsel Advocate Mohammad Saiful Alam told The Daily Star.

He said the gas price for industries and other uses will remain as it is.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has been asked to issue a notice on August 1 circulating the HC directives, the lawyer said.

Also READ: Gas price hike to hit export, industries

Citing from the HC judgement, Advocate Saiful said the public notice issued by the BERC on February 23 increasing the gas price in two phases has been declared illegal and therefore, the BERC cannot enhance the gas price twice in a fiscal year.

The lawyer also said the HC observations will be known once its full verdict is released.

BERC on February 23 raised gas prices for all consumers by 22.7 percent and decided to implement the hike in two phases.