Go to people to explain fuel price hike, Cabinet asks Energy Division

The Cabinet on Thursday directed the Energy Division to reiterate to the people the justification behind the huge increase in the prices of fuel triggering a public outcry.

The directive came from the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who joined it through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban. Other cabinet members were connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The cabinet was informed about what the Energy Ministry or Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) told the press in details about the fuel prices, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam replying to a question at a press briefing.

“The Energy Ministry was asked to brief (the media) again over it,” he said, adding that the BPC chairman already spoke in details about the matter at the recent press briefing.

Asked if the government would revise the hike, the Cabinet secretary said, “They (the ministry or BPC) will make all things clear.”

In an abrupt midnight move last week, the government hiked fuel prices by up to 51 per cent citing losses incurred by the state-run petroleum agency owing to global high import costs.

The controversial move has triggered public anger and protests across the country, reports UNB.