Staff Reporter:

The Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association has withdrawn its planned nationwide shutdown of CNG filling stations scheduled for 30 July, meaning all CNG stations across the country will remain open that day.

The announcement was made on Monday at a press conference held at Akram Tower in Bijoynagar, Dhaka.

Association leaders said the decision to withdraw the programme was taken in view of the ongoing gas shortage across the country.

The association had earlier announced that all CNG filling stations would remain closed on 30 July to press a four-point demand, including an increase in the sales commission.

Although the 30 July shutdown has been cancelled, the association has given the authorities until 22 August to meet its demands.

The leaders warned that if the demands are not met by then, they will proceed with an indefinite nationwide closure of CNG filling stations from 23 August.

The association’s four-point demand includes increasing the commission on CNG sales from Tk8 to at least Tk13.96 per cubic metre, introducing an automatic commission adjustment mechanism in line with future fuel price hikes, abolishing the practice of collecting additional security deposits from existing customers following gas price increases, and reducing licence, renewal and lease fees imposed by government agencies, including the Roads and Highways Department, to a reasonable level.