No full gas, no full bill: BGCS

Bangladesh General Citizens' Society (BGCS) demanded that the non-metered residential consumers should be directed not to be charged the full August gas bill in September.

The concerned gas distribution companies be given urgent directives not to collect the full August gas bill from non-metered residential consumers in September and to make arrangements for bill adjustments or waivers as necessary, BGCS statement has said.

They also urged the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and all gas distribution company for a new arrangement that should be made for bill adjustments according to the extent of supply shortages and considering the actual situation of gas supply in August 2026. 

“In areas where gas was not supplied for a large part of the month, bills should be reduced proportionally, and in special circumstances, provisions should be made for complete bill waivers,” it said in a statement on Monday.

“First and foremost, the actual situation of gas supply to residential consumers in August 2026 should be verified. A report should be prepared by collecting area-wise data on supply timing, pressure, and supply shortages from the various gas distribution companies. Secondly, in areas where there was no gas supply or extremely low pressure for a significant time in August, furthermore, in September, when distribution companies send bills to consumers, arrangements should be made to provide adjusted bills according to the commission's directives, taking into account the August gas supply situation,” it reads.

A policy for automatic bill adjustment should also be formulated for the future in cases of prolonged gas supply suspension or abnormally low pressure, so that consumers do not have to file separate complaints or applications each time.