Fuel reserves in Bangladesh have increased with the arrival of two fuel-laden ships, but the government will continue rationing supplies due to uncertainty surrounding the ongoing war, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Sunday.
“Once these two ships deliver fuel, our reserves will increase further,” he said while speaking at a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
The Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum arranged the event marking the 20th imprisonment day of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, recalling his arrest during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007.
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The minister said rising reserves do not mean fuel can be used in an uncontrolled manner. “We will continue rationing for as long as the war continues.”
Explaining the need for rationing, Tuku said the duration of the war remains uncertain and the government wants to use the existing reserves carefully.
“We do not know when the war will end. That is why we have asked people to use fuel sparingly and introduced rationing so that the reserves last longer. If we consume everything at once, the reserves will quickly run out. But if we manage consumption properly, we will be able to continue for a longer time,” he added.
Power prices won’t go up
Tuku also said rumours are being spread that the government may increase electricity and fuel prices due to the war.
“I want to assure people that we are not increasing power prices for now,” he said.
The minister urged people not to panic and stockpile fuel out of fear of a price hike.
“There is no shortage of fuel, but rationing must continue. We do not know when the war will end, and people should understand that,” he added.
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The minister also urged BNP leaders and activists, as well as the public, to remain vigilant so that fuel is not smuggled or sold on the black market.
Referring to the condition of the power sector under the previous government, Tuku said the current administration inherited a fragile and debt-ridden system with outstanding dues of around Tk 76,000 crore.
“Despite the challenges, we have managed to keep the system stable so far, and we hope it will remain stable in the future,” he said.
The minister also said special instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman helped ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during Iftar,Tarawih and sehri in Ramadan over the past 20 days.