Diesel price lower in Bangladesh compared to neighbouring countries: Hasan Mahmud

Diesel price in the country is lower compared to that in neighbouring countries; there should be no confusion over this and prices of daily commodities cannot be hiked with this excuse, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud today.

He came up with the remarks at a views exchange meeting with journalists this evening at his Dhaka residence.

Hasan, also the joint general secretary of Awami League said, "Several quarters are trying to create confusion over the recent increase in diesel price. In 2013, per litre diesel price was Tk 68 but later in 2016, the price was lowered to Tk 65. For the last five and half years, prices of diesel and kerosine were not increased."

Mentioning that Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) incurred huge losses as the prices of fuel, especially diesel, were increased in the international market since the beginning of the current fiscal year, Hasan said BPC incurred Tk 1147.60 crore losses after giving subsidy for the last five and half months.

"At the same time, the price of 1 US dollar has risen from Tk 79 in 2016 to Tk 85.75 this month. As a result, BPC had to pay more," he added.

The minister said price of each litre diesel in West Bengal is RS 90 or Tk 104 despite the decrease in fuel price in India. In Nepal it is RS 112.39 or Tk 81.

"We have lower prices here than the neighbouring countries and because of this smugglers are illegally trading diesel to neighbouring countries," he added.

He said that the government has been continuously giving subsidy worth thousands of crore for fuel but diesel was smuggled aboard.

The government has increased the prices to put an end to the smuggling, he added.

He said everyone should keep an eye so that prices of daily commodities cannot go up with this pretext and people do not suffer, otherwise the government will take strict action.