Apex court stays HC order against gas price hike

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today stayed a High Court order ordering suspension for six months the government decision for second phase enhancement of gas price hike.

A four-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order setting aside the High Court order and simultaneously asked the concerned bench to dispose of its rule by July 31.

The High Court had passed the initial order on February 28, asking authorities concerned to explain why the public notification of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) for increasing the gas price should not be declared illegal.

Earlier on May 30, Appellate Division`s Chamber Judge Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain stayed the High Court order and sent the matter for further hearing in the full bench of the apex court.

Court officials said after today`s order, there would be no bar in enforcing the BERC decision for increasing the gas price from June 1 to Taka 950 and Taka 900 respectively for double burner and single burner respectively.

Source: BSS