Agricultural Minister Md Abdur Razzaque said government is sincerely considering providing subsidy in Diesel priceto farmers during Boro season . The minister said this while attending a workshop titled “Sustainable Management of Underground Water for Food Security,” at city’s BRAC centre on Thursday. “We will need to do something to reduce farmer’s production cost even if the Russia-Ukraine war doesn’t end and internationally diesel price doesn’t come down,” said Abdur Razzaque. Also read: Incessant rains in Kurigram force Boro farmers to go for early harvesting As per the current high price the production will rise in this Boro season, he said.  “Subsidies will be needed to be provided in Diesel like in fertilizers and it’s under government’s consideration,” said the minister. The minister said due to lack of rain Aman plantation is being hindered which is concerning.  “If rainfall remains low Aman production will fall and it will also effect Boro production as farmers invest in it from the profit of Aman season” said Abdur Razzaque. “We don’t want to dependent on others for food as during instability in international market even after having dollars we cannot ensure availability of food products,” he added. Also read: Labour crisis worries Boro farmers in Jashore Emphasizing on sustainable irrigation system the minister said, “On the one hand, the government is working on to increase the use of surface water for irrigation, on the other hand, the irrigation efficiency is being increased by using buried pipes (underground pipes).”

The government Monday lowered fuel prices by Tk5 per litre 23 days after raising the prices by up to 51.68 percent. Prices of diesel and kerosene will now be Tk109, petrol Tk125, and octane Tk130 per litre at the filling stations, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told UNB. Also, a gazette notification was issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division on the new prices, which will be effective from Tuesday midnight. Also read: Diesel price likely to come down in a day or two: Nasrul Hamid The new development came hours after Nasrul said the government was going to make a decision on the adjustment of fuel prices within a day or two. On August 6, the government increased fuel prices to a record high.Diesel and kerosene retail prices were fixed at Tk114, petrol at Tk130 per litre and octane at Tk135 per litre. Also read: Import tax on diesel cut by 5 percent

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said the government will make a readjustment in the petroleum price in a day or two.“The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is analysing the impact of the duty cut on diesel import. Once it’s complete, the government will make the readjustment”, he told reporters on Monday.The state minister, however, said it’s still unclear as how much downward price adjustment would be possible at this stage as the price of fuel is again increasing in the international market. Also read: Import tax on diesel cut by 5 percent The comments from the state minister came a day after the government cut the duty on diesel import by half to five per cent and abolished all advance taxes on its import.The changes were notified through a gazette notification issued by the National Board of Revenue on Sunday.The order came into effect immediately and will remain effective until the end of (December 31) this year. Also read: Cabinet purchase body approves import of diesel, Jet fuel, LNG and fertilizerThe NBR notification added that light and high speed diesel oils will get the new facilities.

Leaders of freight transport owners-workers association postponed their strike after a meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at the secretariat on Monday night. Coordinator of Bangladesh Truck, Covered Van, Tank Lorry, Prime Mover Owners and Workers Coordination Council Hossain Ahmed Majumder said that they have agreed to postpone the strike after the home minister's assurances to meet their demands. Read:Strike called off as bus fares raised The meeting at the secretariat started at 8 pm in the evening. In accordance to the three-point demand of the association, the government has agreed to increase the transportation fare in proportion to the increase in diesel price.  The association’s demand to cut increased toll on two bridges has also been agreed with.  The third point in their charter of demands was an end to multiple points of taxation, that they describe as ‘extortion money, for the vehicles carrying freight at the entry points of the city corporation areas and the municipalities. This demand has also apparently been met at the meeting. The Minister said, "We think their demand is a logical one and that’s why we are recommending all the stakeholders including BGMEA, BKMEA, and FBCCI, who are receiving the services to logically increase the fare for transporting goods in discussion with the leaders of the association. Read: Transport strike enters 3rd day, badly affects normal life  Today's discussion has been fruitful, he said, adding that the leaders (owners-workers) have agreed to withdraw the strike, he added. Earlier on Friday, the association enforced the strike and kept freight transports suspended till today, demanding complete withdrawal of the Tk 15 increase in the price of diesel and kerosene.