CPB, SPB hold sit-in to reduce power, gas prices

Left politicians on Tuesday at a sit-in programme in the city called on the Awami League led government to take steps to reduce prices of power and gas which effected from September 1.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission on August 27 increased the average price of electricity by 2.93 per cent and natural gas by 26.29 per cent at consumer level which effected from September 1.
Communist Party of Bangladesh and Socialist Party of Bangladesh held two hour sit-in programme in front of National Press Club as a part of their countrywide sit-in programme.
The SPB, general secretary Khalequzzaman, who chaired the programme, said that the hike of power and gas prices another time was unjustified.
It would increase the sufferings of the common people, Khalequzzaman said.
The CPB and SPB would announce tougher movement programmes to compel the government to reduce the prices of power and gas, he said.
The two parties will hold countrywide sit-in programmes on September 16 to press home their demands, Khalequzzaman announced.
The Oikya NAP president Pankaj Bhattachyra, express solidarity with the programme called on the government to withdraw the decision of power and gas prices hike immediately.
The CPB general secretary Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed said that the government had increased power and gas prices to satisfy the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The rally was addressed, among others, by the CPB central leaders Ruhin Hossain Prince, Sajjad Zahir Chanadan, the SPB leaders Razequzzaman Ratan, Abdur Razzak, Ahsan Habib Bulbul, Shampa Basu, CPB leaders Sohel Ahmed, Sadequr Rahman Shamim and Zahid Hossain Khan.

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