Highlights
- The government says there is no shortage of fuel in the country.
- Fuel pumps ran out early because people bought and stored more fuel than usual.
- The energy minister questioned whether any vehicle actually stopped due to fuel shortage.
- The government has not yet decided whether fuel rationing will be introduced.
Minister Says There Is Enough Fuel in the Country
Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Chowdhury Tuku has said that Bangladesh has sufficient fuel stock and supply. Speaking to journalists at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday (24 March), he explained that fuel pumps ran out earlier than usual because people were buying and storing more fuel than needed. He said,
“তেলের পর্যাপ্ত মজুত ও সরবরাহ ছিল। কিন্তু তেল কেনার পরিমাণ ও সঞ্চয় প্রবণতা বেড়ে যাওয়ায় পাম্পগুলোতে সময়ের আগেই তেল শেষ হয়ে গেছে।”
Translation: “There was sufficient fuel stock and supply. But because people bought and stored more fuel, pumps ran out earlier than usual.”
“Has Any Vehicle Stopped Due to Fuel Shortage?”
The energy minister questioned public concerns about fuel shortage and asked whether anyone’s vehicle actually stopped because of a lack of fuel.He said,
“তেলের অভাবে কারও গাড়ি কি বন্ধ হয়ে গেছে?”
Translation: “Has any vehicle stopped due to a shortage of fuel?”
He also said that during the Eid holidays, transport services continued without any major disruption.
Eid Travel Continued Without Major Problems
The minister pointed out that during Eid-ul-Fitr, millions of people travelled across the country, yet there were no major reports of buses stopping due to fuel shortage. He said,
“ঈদের মধ্যে যে সবাই বাড়িতে গেল, কোনো বাস কি তেলের অভাবে বন্ধ হয়েছে? ঈদটা গেল, কোনো তো অসুবিধা হয় নাই।”
Translation: “During Eid, when everyone travelled home, did any bus stop due to fuel shortage? Eid passed without any problem.”
He urged people not to store fuel unnecessarily and said the current situation was influenced by global issues affecting fuel imports.
Fuel Prices Are Set by Energy Commission, Not Ministry
Energy Minister clarified that the decision to increase fuel prices is not taken directly by the ministry. He said,
“জ্বালানি তেলের দাম বাড়ানোর বিষয়টি মন্ত্রণালয় দেখে না। সেটি এনার্জি কমিশন দেখে। আমরা এখনো দাম বাড়াইনি।”
Translation: “The ministry does not decide fuel price increases. That is handled by the Energy Commission. We have not increased prices yet.”
Why People Are Facing Fuel Shortage at Pumps
When asked why people were standing in long lines but still not getting fuel, the minister explained that demand suddenly increased. He also said,
“যারা সারাদিনে যে তেল বিক্রি করতো সেই তেল তিন ঘণ্টায় এসে শেষ করে ফেলছে।”
Translation: “The amount of fuel that used to be sold in a whole day is now being sold out within three hours.”
He added that fuel deliveries from depots take time, so pumps may run out early in the morning but receive supply later in the day.
Sudden Demand Has Disrupted the Usual Supply Process
The minister said that petrol pumps operate under a fixed supply process, but the sudden rush of customers has disrupted that system. He said,
“হঠাৎ করে মানুষ হুমড়ি খেয়ে পড়ছে পেট্রোল পাম্পে… সেই নিয়মটা এখন ভেঙে পড়েছে।”
Translation: “People suddenly rushed to petrol pumps, and the usual supply system has now broken down.”
When asked whether the government would reintroduce fuel rationing, the minister said it is too early to make such a decision.
Read more: Bangladesh in Transition; Comparing the Interim Rule with New Elected Prime Minister Rule
Minister Urges People Not to Store Extra Fuel
The energy minister requested citizens to avoid buying more fuel than necessary so that the supply chain can remain stable.
He said,
“আমরা মানুষকে বলেছি আপনারা প্রয়োজনের অতিরিক্ত তেল নিয়েন না… তেল আছে, আপনারা তেল পাবেন।”
Translation:
“We have asked people not to buy more fuel than necessary… There is fuel, and everyone will get it.”
Source: Bangladesh Times
