Even after the latest hike in fuel prices in Bangladesh it is equal to India and comparatively lower than the other neighboring countries, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud.
He made the remark Saturday at a seminar marking Sheikh Kamal’s 73rd birth anniversary at Dhaka University.
Hasan Mahmud said the government provided a subsidy of Tk53,000 crore in the fuel and power sector in the last fiscal year.
File photo of Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud Dhaka TribuneThe neighbouring countries did not provide such subsidies and as a result they had to raise the fuel prices long before Bangladesh, he added.
“India has been selling diesel at Tk114 per liter and octane at Tk134-135 per liter which is the current price in Bangladesh. As our price was lower a huge amount of fuel was being smuggled to India through borders,” said the Information and Broadcasting Minister.
He said in India’s Kolkata current diesel price is Tk114 per liter (as per local currency) while Tk112 in all over India. “In China the diesel price is equal to Tk118, in the United Aram Emirates it is Tk123, in Nepal it is Tk127.82, in Indonesia Tk138.24 and in Singapore Tk189.78,” said the minister.
Regarding the increase in transport fares he said, if there are 70% passengers in a 50-seater bus the fare will increase by Tk0.29 per kilometer only.
“Currently, a passenger has to pay Tk1.80 per kilometer which will increase by Tk2.90. Soon the government will hold meetings with all concerned parties to ensure no one takes unfair opportunity of the fuel price hike,” said Hasan Mahmud.