Gas price hike to remain effective as HC rejects petition seeking stay order

The government decision to hike the gas price will now remain effective as the High Court today rejected the writ petition that sought a stay order on it.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal rejected the petition on the grounds that it was not properly placed in court.

After the order, petitioner advocate Eunus Ali Akond was also quoted by local media to say that the rejection means that the gas price hike decision taken by the government will now remain effective.

Before the court passed the order on the petition, Deputy Attorney General Ekramul Huq Tutul argued for the government decision, telling the court that there was no violation of law in the gas price hike.

He explained that the authorities concerned had followed all procedures, including holding mass hearing, before deciding to raise the gas price.

On June 30, the government announced to raise the price of gas by an average rate of 32.8 per cent across the board, effective from July 1, drawing opposition from household consumers and businesses.

Five days later on July 4, Eunus, also a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the above-mentioned petition with the High Court seeking a rule -- why the government decision on gas price hike should not be declared illegal.

Also, Left Democratic Alliance, a coalition of left-wing political parties on Sunday observed a half-day hartal across the country demanding a rollback in the gas price hike.

They also announced a fresh programme, threatening to besiege the energy ministry on July 14 if the gas price hike is not cancelled.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself defended the gas price hike, urging people to accept the gas price hike without resorting to protests, for the sake of economic development.