Complications have arisen with the list of distributors and dealers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Recently, the Energy Ministry has sought the list of suppliers and dealers from 'LOAB', a trade association of LPG supply companies. But LPG traders say, it is their business secret or commercial secret. As a result, it is not possible for them to provide this list.
Sources in the Energy Department said that why the list of LPG suppliers or distributors is being made, it is being done to regulate the market. In order to regulate the market, it is necessary to know who is involved in this trade.
For this reason, recently the Ministry of Energy has asked for the list of distributors and dealers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from all over the country. LOAB, the traders' body of LPG supplying companies, has been directed to assist the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to list them.
Loab President Azam J Chowdhury told Bangla Tribune that our members list is the list of businessmen. The government also has this list. Now as far as we understand—they want our list of distributors and dealers. Each company's list of distributors and dealers is different and is not definitive. It is there today, it may not be there tomorrow The government licenses these. The government is trying to put this responsibility on us. He said, why do we give this list? It is the government's job. If you want the list of members, I will give it again. But the list of distributors and dealers is the company's business secret. Why should I tell you this? They (government) themselves do not know who is operating. Who is licensed, who is not. They give the license. Account should be with them.
Incidentally, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announces the price of LPG every month. But LPG is not available in the market at the price set by the government. LPG marketing companies hold discussions with BERC every time before announcing prices. That is, the price is decided after discussing with their representatives.
But the market always goes out of control. In this case, LPG producer companies put the responsibility on the suppliers. But no one has any list of suppliers across the country.
In this situation, controlling the market is considered very complicated by the stakeholders. It is said that if there is a list, it will be easy to identify who is selling LPG at higher prices and why. Then action can be taken in this regard. It is from this idea that LPG traders or suppliers are being listed.
Like other suppliers, LPG marketers have several steps. LPG manufacturers first market their cylinders through distributors. After that LPG is given to the dealers from there. From there LPG is again supplied to the retailers.
In terms of this trade, there are two or three levels in Gramganj. Due to good reason, the price of LPG is increased in the handover as the entrepreneurs do not sell LPG directly to the consumer. In some cases, this price is 150 to 300 taka higher than the price set by the government.
But even if only dealers and suppliers are blamed, there are allegations to the contrary. Appearing before BERC, LPG traders complained that LPG entrepreneurs sell LPG to them at higher prices. LPG promoter companies also do not sell LPG at government fixed rates. As a result complications arise.
BERC Member (Gas) Engineer Md. Fazle Alam told Bangla Tribune, if there is any problem with the LPG of the companies if it is not listed, we will hold the company responsible instead of the dealer. A list has been sought from each company. Besides, we have asked the distributors to take license by advertising in newspapers. Many people are coming to take the license.
He said, 'If you take a license, you cannot hire unskilled workers in the concerned company. Besides, the government can get revenue. But it is difficult to understand who the LPG dealers are working for which company in Bangladesh. This listing is being done to ensure transparency and accountability in the LPG sector. So, everyone's cooperation is desirable.'
