The High Court on Monday issued a rule questioning why the government's decision to not provide new gas connection in residential areas will not be declared illegal.

The Court also asked why returning money instead of giving connections and the government's inactivity to provide connections in households will not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the rule during a hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard.

READ: Won’t provide new gas connections to households: FM

The bench asked the senior secretary of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Petrobangla Chairman, Managing Directors of Titas, Karnaphuli and Bakhrabad Gas to reply to the rule within next four weeks.

Lawyer Md Wazi Ullah with Azim Uddin Patwary and Afroza Sultana appeared for the petitioner’s side at the hearing while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar stood for the state.

On April 27, in the monthly coordination meeting of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division of the ministry the decision to return money after cross checking to those who submitted money through demand notes was taken as no new household gas connection to be provided anymore.

On October 4, president of Chattogram Gas, Electricity and Water Consumer Unity Alamgir Nur, its secretary general AKM Waliullah Haque and consumer MD Nurul Alam filed a writ petition challenging this decision of the government.

Petitioner’s lawyer Wazi Ullah said, according to law, the government is obligated to provide connection within a fixed time if money has been submitted through demand note for getting gas connection.

READ: Illegal gas connections of 2,000 families disconnected

Even after the determined time has passed, the consumers didn’t get a connection, rather a decision to return the money was taken which is illegal, he said.

The HC in its rule today also questioned why directions to give gas connections to the petitioners will not be given, said lawyer Wazi Ullah.