SANGSAD BHABAN : Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood today urged the country’s people to pursue austerity in energy consumption and avoid panic buying, saying that the government is working to ensure stable fuel and electricity supply despite global energy challenges.
Replying to a supplementary question in the Jatiya Sangsad today from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam (Patuakhali-2), the minister said the government is supplying fuel across the country according to daily stock and distribution plans and is taking steps to maintain normal supply.
He said the case of alleged irregularities in fuel distribution at the local level, including dealers closing shops and selling fuel illegally from private premises, can be addressed through law enforcement action if reported to local authorities.
Referring to the global energy crisis, the minister said the current situation is a worldwide problem, but Bangladesh is trying to manage it efficiently.
He urged people not to create panic by purchasing excessive fuel and to buy only what is necessary.
“If people cooperate and avoid panic buying, there will be no major problem in electricity and fuel supply,” he said.
He said, “Countries around the world are practicing austerity to save energy. Bangladesh is also requesting its citizens to be economical in energy use,” he added.
The minister further informed the House that the government is planning to utilize gas from Bhola to operate power plants, including supplying gas to existing power stations in Khulna.
He expressed hope that public cooperation would help the government maintain a stable energy supply across the country.
Replying to another supplementary question from NCP lawmaker Md. Abul Hasnat (Cumilla-4), the Minister said that the amount of fuel allocated to each petrol pump daily is being supplied accordingly.
However, after the Iran incident, he said fuel sales suddenly increased. “As a result, the quantity of fuel that previously took one to one and a half days to sell at petrol pumps is now being sold out within two hours,”
Iqbal said this has created panic buying among people, leading to long queues at petrol pumps. “However, it is not correct to say that petrol supply has stopped, as petrol is being supplied regularly every day.” he added.
