Fuel prices reduced to give people some respite: PM
Reiterating that Bangladesh's situation will never become Sri Lanka's, the premier said, "Any conspiracy against us will be futile"
A day after slashing fuel prices by a flat Tk5 per litre, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the prices have been reduced to give some respite to the people.
Reiterating that there will be no Sri Lanka-like crisis in Bangladesh, the premier said, "Any conspiracy against us will be futile."
She made the remarks while addressing a programme organised by Dhaka North and Dhaka South Awami League to commemorate National Mourning Day.
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Earlier, on 14 August, Sheikh Hasina said she fully understands people's sufferings caused by the recent hike in fuel oil prices and power rationing, and assured that her government will surely slash fuel prices once they drop in the international market.
Referring to the ongoing power crisis and countrywide load-shedding, she said people have to endure this pain for some more days.
She had also directed the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to spell out the reasons behind the fuel price hike to the people.
The energy ministry on 5 August hiked the price of diesel by Tk34 to Tk114, petrol by Tk44 to Tk130 and octane by Tk46 to Tk135 per litre.
On 28 August, the government slashed import duties on diesel by over 10% in a move to tame soaring commodity prices, which was followed by a Tk5 cut in all fuel oils per litre on Monday.
Prime Minister Hasina yesterday pointed out that her government placed the budget in planned ways for the continuation of the country's economic development.
"Before taking every development plan, we think how it will help benefit the country and the people once it is completed," she said, adding that Bangladesh has been repaying the foreign debts in time.
She, however, said Bangladesh had to face a Sri Lanka-like situation during the 2001-2006 regime of BNP, but her government has pulled the country out from that state.
Citing the misrule of the BNP regime, the Awami League chief said when BNP was in power, Bangladesh became the champion in corruption five times, and prices of essential commodities were soaring, there was scarcity of electricity, water and employment, the country witnessed militancy, violence and grenade attacks.
Exercise austerity in the use of electricity and fuels
The premier asked all to prevent wastage and rather exercise austerity in the use of every item including electricity, water and fuels, reports the UNB.
She also asked people to grow more crops and other foods in Bangladesh to prevent any food crisis.
Awami League's Dhaka city south unit President Abu Ahmed Mannafi presided over the function.
Awami League's Dhaka city north unit President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Atiqul Islam, north city unit Vice Presidents Sadek Khan MP and MA Quader Khan, its General Secretary SM Mannan Kachi, and south city unit Vice Presidents Shahid Serniabat and Nurul Amin Ruhul MP and its General Secretary Humayun Kabir, spoke on the occasion.
