Trade bodies and people have rejected the proposed hike in gas prices from January 1 and stated that the prices were being manipulated at various levels.
It may be mentioned here that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has allowed 6.56 per cent increase in the prescribed prices of natural gas for all categories of consumers throughout the country effective from January 1, 2008.
The trade and financial bodies feel that the prices of all essential items have gone up manifold without any check from the government and few cartels are manipulating the prices.
The Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) has decried the proposed hike in gas prices, saying it would add to overhead expenses and the millers would simply pass the buck on to the common man. The trade circles asserted that instead of examining the root cause of the problem, the simplest formula now being adopted, was just to raise prices.
It's not a price-hike, but it was "price manipulation" which was being done at all levels, they argued. The people have suggested that the government should review the gas price hike and strenuous efforts must be made to augment the production instead of increase the prices unilaterally.
They said that the actual stakeholders are never taken into confidence regarding raise in price one any commodity The urged the regulatory authorities to review the matter and asked that preferably it be deferred for the time being as political situation was already too much complicated in the country.
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