Clarify reasons to people why fuel price was hiked

The cabinet on Thursday directed the Energy Division to clarify to the people once again the reason behind the recent massive hike in fuel prices, which triggered a public outcry.

The directive came from the weekly cabinet meeting held at the secretariat in Dhaka, which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired after joining virtually from Ganabhaban.

Addressing a press briefing after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the cabinet was informed about what the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources or Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has so far told the media in detail about the fuel prices.

The ministry has been asked to brief the media elaborately again as it is a technical issue, he said, adding that the BPC chairman already spoke in detail about it at a recent press conference but they have also been asked to explain it again if needed.

Asked whether the government would come back from its stance, the secretary said the ministry or BPC will make everything clear when appropriate.

In an abrupt late-night move last Friday, diesel price was increased by Tk 34 to Tk 114 per litre while octane price went up by Tk 46 to Tk 135 and petrol by Tk 44 to Tk 130 per litre.

The sudden hike has directly affected various sectors, mostly transportation, of the country while public anger and protests spread.

The government has claimed that the prices have been adjusted to reduce the losses of BPC following the rise in fuel prices in the international market.