After the approval, the premium rate will increase by 60 cents per barrel and the government will pay $ 5.45 instead of earlier $ 4.85 per barrel as premium for the import of diesel.

The CCPP gave the approval at its meeting presided over by Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman.

According to sources in the energy ministry, the government will have to pay an additional amount of Tk 18 crore for the increased premium for import of diesel during July-December this year.

Similarly, the premium on import of octane and petrol has also been increased by 20 cents per barrel.

The energy ministry officials said though the government increased the premium on the import of petroleum products, it will have no impact on the sale of petroleum products in the domestic market.

The committee approved another proposal of the communications ministry to appoint a contractor for the construction of Dapdabia Bridge on the Barisal-Patuakhali highway.

Another proposal from the industries ministry to import about 25,000 metric tons of urea fartiliser also got the nod of the committee.