JASHORE : State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit today said that the government has been able to ensure the country’s energy store to demand until next April.
“The government is now aiming to build a reserve sufficient for 90 days, and work in this regard has already begun. The world will continue to operate under varying degrees of crisis from now on, and we must adapt to this new reality,” he said.
Amit made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme held in Jashore for distributing one-time cheques among the poor and underprivileged from Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council.
He said although 80 countries around the world have increased fuel prices so far, the Bangladesh government has no plan to raise fuel prices at this moment.
The state minister said any increase in fuel prices would lead to higher electricity tariffs, increased public transport costs, and rising prices of food items, making life more difficult.
The economy is already under pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, he said, adding any further rise in prices would make the situation unbearable.
Therefore, despite pressure from various sides, the government has no plan to increase fuel prices at this time, said Amit.
He said while the government has maintained a normal supply of fuel, demand has increased abnormally.
In March last year, the average daily demand for diesel was 12,000 tonnes, while petrol-octane demand ranged between 1,200 and 1,400 tonnes.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr this year, the average daily diesel supply has risen to 24,000 to 25,000 tonnes—double that of last year, he said adding Eid-ul-Fitr and the month of Ramadan also occurred in March last year.
The state minister said the government data shows that a well-known petrol pump in Dhaka sold an average of 5,000 litres of octane per day in March 2025.
Now, even when the same pump receives 9,000 to 10,000 litres, it runs out within 2 to 3 hours, he said.
Amit said to ensure people do not suffer further, the current democratic government is providing an average daily subsidy of Taka 167 crore on fuel.
He said Bangladesh is among the five countries whose vessels have been permitted by Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a diplomatic success of the current government.
“In the interests of Bangladesh and its people, we are trying to reach every part of the world where it is necessary,” he said.
The cheque distribution ceremony, held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner in Jashore, was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashiq Hasan.
Administrator of Jashore Zila Parishad Delwar Hossain Khokon, Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Director of the District Social Services Office Md. Harun-or-Rashid, Assistant Director Md. Saiful Islam, President of Jashore Press Club Zahid Hasan Tukun, and other senior officials of the district administration and social services office were present.
Deputy Director Md. Harun-or-Rashid informed that in this phase, cheques amounting to a total of Taka 459,000 were distributed among 153 distressed and underprivileged men and women of Jashore district.
