Why fuel price hike should not be declared illegal: HC

The High Court on Tuesday issued a rule asking authorities concerned to explain why the decision to increase the price of fuel without holding a public hearing will not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Mia and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo issued the rule. Advocate Yunus Ali Akhand and Barrister Jyortimoy Barua stood for the writ whereas Deputy Attorney General Arvind Kumar Roy appeared for the state.

Earlier on August 8, Supreme Court Advocate Md Eunus Ali Akond filed a writ petition with the High Court on Monday challenging the legality of the latest hike in fuel prices in the country. The writ petition sought the HC’s directive to stay the gazette issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources raising fuel prices.

On August 5, the Ministry of Energy issued a notification to increase the price of fuel oil in the country citing the dollar crisis and the global price hike.

According to the notification, the retail price (1 liter) of diesel and kerosene at the consumer level within 40 km of the depot will be Tk 114, Octane Tk 135 and Petrol Tk 130. So far, kerosene and diesel have been sold at Tk 80 per litre, octane at Tk 89 and petrol at Tk 86.

The Bangladeshi taka has declined by around 20 per cent against the dollar in the past three months, further weakening the nation’s finances -- with the current account deficit hitting $17 billion.