B Mirror Report: Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan has blamed manipulation by retail and wholesale traders for the unusual rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, saying the increase is temporary and prices are expected to fall gradually.

He made the remarks while responding to journalists after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

At the consumer level, the private-sector LPG price has risen by Tk 4.42 per kilogram. As a result, the price of a 12-kg cylinder for January has been fixed at Tk 1,306, up from Tk 1,253 in December 2025. This represents an increase of Tk 53 in January, compared to a Tk 38 rise in the previous month.

The adviser said mobile courts are being conducted against traders responsible for abnormal price hikes, and initiatives are underway to reopen shops that have been closed.

When asked whether those involved in price manipulation had been punished, he confirmed that action has been taken in many cases. The enforcement efforts are being carried out jointly by the district administration, police, and the Consumer Rights Protection Department.

Regarding information released by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on LPG price increases, the adviser said the government would investigate whether any BERC officials were involved.

He also noted that he had held meetings with the Secretary of the Fuel and Mineral Resources Division, BERC, and the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh. He emphasized that LPG is imported and bottled domestically, and imports this month are higher than last month, indicating there should be no supply shortage.

While acknowledging restrictions affecting some ships, Khan said the government is working to address shipping challenges to prevent future disruptions.

On the domestic gas crisis, the adviser stated that both local gas production and imports remain adequate. However, he explained that gas pipeline issues commonly arise during winter, both domestically and abroad, affecting overall gas supply. He added that the planned volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being imported as scheduled.