Highlights
- The government has confirmed that fuel prices will not be increased for now.
- Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman warned that hoarding fuel will not bring any benefit.
- The government is monitoring petrol pumps to prevent stockpiling.
- Authorities say global crises and rising import costs are affecting Bangladesh, but prices are being kept stable to control inflation.
Government Confirms No Fuel Price Hike
Adviser to the Prime Minister, Zahed Ur Rahman, said that the Prime Minister has clearly instructed that fuel prices will not be increased at this time. He said,
“জ্বালানি তেলের দাম না বাড়ার বিষয়টি স্পষ্ট করে জানিয়ে দিয়েছেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী তারেক রহমান।”
Translation: “The Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has clearly stated that fuel prices will not be increased.”
He added that petrol pump owners or anyone else trying to store fuel in hopes of profit will not benefit from doing so.
Statement Made at Secretariat Press Conference
The adviser made these remarks on Wednesday (25 March) during a press conference at the Secretariat, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to review the government’s first month in office.
Global Crisis Affecting Fuel Market
Zahed Ur Rahman said Bangladesh is facing a difficult situation due to global instability and economic pressure. Said,
“আমাদের খুবই দুর্ভাগ্য, আমাদের জাতিরও দুর্ভাগ্য যে আমরা খুব অল্প সময়ের মধ্যে একটা গ্লোবাল ক্রাইসিসে পড়েছি। এমনকি ধনী দেশগুলো পর্যন্ত, এই যে ট্রাম্প যুদ্ধ থেকে সরে আসছে, চিন্তা করছে বলা হচ্ছে, কারণ তার সামনে মিড-টার্ম ইলেকশন আছে। তার আগে যদি তার দেশেও প্রচুর ইনফ্লেশন হয়ে যায় সে ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হবে। আমরা আসলে মূলত ওই সংকটে পড়েছি।”
Translation: “It is very unfortunate for us and for the nation that we have fallen into a global crisis in a very short time. Even wealthy countries are affected. It is being said that Trump is reconsidering war due to upcoming mid-term elections, because high inflation would hurt him. We are mainly facing that crisis.”
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Government Warns Against Panic Buying and Hoarding
The adviser urged the public not to engage in panic buying or hoarding fuel. Adviser Zahed said,
“এখন সবার দায়িত্ব প্যানিক বায়িং এবং মজুত যাতে না করে এটা মানুষকে বলার চেষ্টা করা। আর হ্যাঁ, পাম্প পর্যায়ে হয়তো কেউ কেউ স্টোর করার চেষ্টা করছে। আমাদের সরকার সেগুলো একটু দেখার চিন্তা করছে।”
Translation: “Now it is everyone’s responsibility to discourage panic buying and hoarding. Yes, some at the pump level may be trying to store fuel, and the government is planning to monitor those activities.”
Government Absorbing Higher Import Costs
Zahed Ur Rahman also said that the government is currently buying fuel at higher prices from international markets but is choosing not to increase local prices to protect citizens from inflation. He said,
“আমরা অভ্যন্তরীণভাবে তেলের মূল্য বাড়িয়ে দিতে পারতাম। আমরা কিন্তু এখন অনেক বেশি মূল্যে তেল কিনছি… তেলের মূল্য বাড়ালেই তো আসলে ইনফ্লেশন বেড়ে যায়— সো সেটায়ও যাইনি।”
Translation: “We could have increased fuel prices domestically. We are actually buying fuel at much higher prices now… Increasing fuel prices would increase inflation, so we have not taken that step.”
He added that since the country has already gone through a long economic crisis and people’s buying capacity is low, the government wants citizens to remain calm and aware.
Source: Jamuna TV
