State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Monday said that the government is going to make a decision on the adjustment of fuel prices within a day or two.
“But it will take some time to get the benefits at grassroots level,” he said while speaking to reporters at the secretariat in Dhaka.
The fresh development comes as the government on Sunday slashed the tariff on diesel import from 10 per cent to 5 per cent and withdrew the existing 5 per cent advance duty.
Nasrul said, “We have been given some advantages regarding the tariff on fuel imports. Considering the matter, we are thinking that we may be able to adjust the fuel prices.
“The calculation is still on and we hope that there may be a change here,” he added.
ALSO READ - New prices of fuel to be fixed within 3 days: BPC
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman ABM Azad said that the new prices of fuel will be fixed within the next three days depending on reduction of advance and import duties.
On August 5, the government increased fuel prices to a record high amid the volatility in the global market.
Diesel and kerosene retail prices were fixed at Tk 114 per litre while that of octane at Tk 135 a litre and petrol at Tk 130 per litre.
The fuel price was hiked at a time when people, particularly from the lower- and middle-income groups, have been struggling with the skyrocketing commodity prices.
With the fresh fuel price hike, the lives of people have become tougher as it also caused another hike of transport fares.
Besides, amid the energy crisis, scheduled load-shedding has been being implemented officially since July 19 to reduce diesel imports and save foreign currency.
