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Transporters feared to be hit hard if gas tariff is hiked
People at a discussion have expressed concern over the government's proposal for gas tariff hike saying the increased prices will hit the transport sector hard.
Published : 6 April 2019, 04:35 PM
Updated : 6 April 2019, 04:35 PM
They made the observation at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Auto-rickshaw Auto-tempo Transport Workers Federation or BAATWF in Dhaka on Saturday.
To protest the government’s move, the group announced some programmes, including human chain formations, leaflet distributions, and labour rallies, in every district and Upazila.
Columnist Syed Abul Maksud, energy expert Prof M Shamsul Alam, Chief Coordinator of Gana Sanghoti Andolan Zonayed Saki and BAATWF President Sikder Benazir Ahmed spoke at the discussion.
"At present, an auto-rickshaw driver has to spend Tk 300 on gas a day. Once the proposed gas tariff is passed, the expense will be more than double,” said Golam Faruq, general secretary of the group.
The government raised gas tariff six times in the last 10 years. BAATWF has questioned the latest move to hike gas price again claiming that Bangladesh is importing gas at higher price than neighbouring India does.
"The proposed gas price is two times higher than the standard price. Corruption in the agencies engaged in gas production and distribution has led to this situation,” Prof Alam said.
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