Energy Bangla

The Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association has demanded that the commission for CNG filling station owners be increased from the current Tk 8 per cubic meter to Tk 13.96 per cubic meter. The association also called for an automatic adjustment mechanism so that the commission can be revised in line with future increases in electricity and other operating costs. It announced that if the demand is not met by June 30, it will launch a protest program from July 1.
The demand was made at a press conference held on Saturday at the association’s office in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. The association’s General Secretary, Farhan Noor, presented the written statement. President Monoranjan Bhakta and other members of the organization were also present.
The press conference was informed that although electricity tariffs have been increased seven times since 2015, the commission for CNG station owners has not been adjusted proportionately. As a result, production and operational costs of the stations have continued to rise. However, since the government-fixed retail price remains unchanged, station owners have been unable to pass on the additional costs to consumers. Consequently, operating CNG filling stations is becoming increasingly difficult.
The association noted that in 2013, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources recommended increasing the commission for CNG station owners by Tk 2.98 and introducing an automatic adjustment mechanism to account for future electricity price hikes. However, while the commission was increased by only Tk 1, the remaining Tk 1.98 has not been implemented even after more than a decade.
According to the association, an additional Tk 2.46 should now be added to the existing commission to compensate for electricity price increases. Furthermore, due to nationwide inflation, higher minimum wages for workers and employees, depreciation of the local currency, and rising costs of equipment and operations, an additional Tk 3.50 adjustment is necessary. Altogether, the association argues that the commission should be increased by Tk 5.96—from Tk 8 to Tk 13.96 per cubic meter. It warned that without this adjustment, the sector would struggle to remain viable.
The association said that operational expenses have risen sharply due to lease fees for Roads and Highways Department land and access roads, license renewal costs, equipment maintenance expenses, employee salaries and benefits, bank guarantee commissions and interest charges, inflation, and the increase in the value of the US dollar. As a result, many CNG filling stations across the country are currently operating at a loss under the government-fixed gas price and are at risk of closure.
The organization further alleged that over the past decade, various government committees and ministries have acknowledged the validity of these demands and made several recommendations. However, most of those recommendations have not been implemented due to bureaucratic complications. It added that even after the recent change in government, the association has repeatedly communicated with the Energy Division and regulatory authorities to resolve the issue. Despite repeated assurances, no meaningful progress has yet been made.