JHENAIDAH : Law Minister Advocate Md. Asaduzzaman today said the government will enforce the strictest provisions of the Special Powers Act against fuel black marketing and hoarding.
“A group of unscrupulous individuals is attempting to create instability in the country by manipulating the supply of fuel,” he said while inaugurating a canal excavation program at Dhaora village under Shailkupa upazila here as chief guest.
The minister said those individuals are collecting fuel from multiple locations on the same day, storing it at home in bottles and drums and repeatedly returning to fuel stations to accumulate more.
“We have been lenient so far. If necessary, we will enforce the strictest provisions of the Special Powers Act against fuel black marketing and hoarding which include the maximum penalty of death.” he added.
Asaduzzaman said under the Special Powers Act of 1974, particularly section 25, there are provisions for punishment against black marketing and hoarding and the government is prepared to apply those provisions if required.
Instructing the law enforcement agencies and the administration to act firmly to prevent fuel shortages, he said, “We urge the administration to be strict. Members of our organization (BNP) will remain vigilant alongside you like constant sentinels.”
Speaking on the “July Charter” and the issue of a referendum, he said that the BNP embraced the July Charter in both spirit and conviction. According to him, the charter represents a “document of liberation” written in the blood of students and the public during the July-August movement in 2024.
The BNP is committed to implementing the July Charter, he said and suggested constitutional amendments as the means of implementation of the charter.
He said it is misleading information that the charter would become void if the referendum is cancelled.
The minister remarked that the 1972 Constitution is considered part of the July Charter.
The function was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Md. Abdullah Al Masud where State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad and other officials were present.
