“LPG traders called off the strike.”

The LPG Traders’ Cooperative Society Limited has officially withdrawn its indefinite strike on Thursday, which had disrupted the marketing and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across Bangladesh.

The announcement came following a meeting at the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) office, where the cooperative’s president, Mr. Md. Selim Khan, briefed the press on the latest developments.

During the meeting, representatives of the society had put forward three principal demands:

1. The cessation of ongoing administrative inspections across the country.

2. An increase in charges for distributors and retail sellers.

3. Assurance of uninterrupted supply of LPG to the market.

BERC Chairman Mr. Jalal Ahmed reassured the society’s representatives that the commission would engage with the administration regarding the ongoing inspections. He further stated that legal steps would be taken to facilitate any necessary adjustments in pricing.

Addressing the supply situation, Mr. Ahmed noted that LPG operators had informed the commission that alternative arrangements had been made to import supplies despite the ongoing shipping crisis. He expressed optimism that the supply disruption might ease somewhat within the coming week.

However, Mr. Selim Khan highlighted that LPG operators were purchasing cylinders at over BDT 1,300 each, making it impossible to sell a 12-kilogram cylinder at below BDT 1,500. The BERC chairman, conversely, remarked that there appeared to be no justification for selling LPG at prices exceeding BDT 1,306, the official rate set for January.

The strike had initially been announced on Wednesday morning by the LPG Traders’ Cooperative Society Limited, which stated that the sale and distribution of LPG cylinders would remain suspended nationwide until their demands were met. Early reports indicated that cities such as Dhaka, Gazipur, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj were directly affected, while distribution continued in other districts.

LPG Supply Status (Thursday Morning)

With the strike officially withdrawn, traders and regulators are now focusing on stabilising supply chains and ensuring that prices remain within regulated limits. Industry insiders emphasise that careful monitoring will be essential to prevent future disruptions, particularly given the lingering shipping challenges.