Energy minister meets PM, briefs him on fuel situation

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and State Minister Aninda Islam Amit met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Sunday and briefed him on the country’s fuel situation.

“They met the Prime Minister at his office at the Secretariat and informed him of the latest fuel situation,” said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

After the meeting, the Energy Minister told waiting journalists that the government had no alternative but to hike the prices as fuel imports require foreign currency, and the adjustment was necessary to keep the situation at a tolerable level.

He said the country is going through a “wartime situation” amid global volatility in fuel prices. “Countries around the world have adjusted fuel prices. Even the United States has increased prices,” he said.

The minister, however, said Bangladesh has fixed prices at a level that is still below the actual import cost.

He said war always brings adverse impacts. “Not only Bangladesh, but the entire world has been affected, and we are also feeling that impact,” he said.

Replying to a question, Iqbal Hassan said the government will need to provide subsidies even after raising fuel prices.

Earlier, a meeting on water resources management was held at the Secretariat with the Prime Minister in the chair.

Tarique Rahman arrived at his office at the Secretariat at 12:05pm. The first programme of the day was a meeting of the water management committee.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, water expert Ainun Nishat, and senior officials of the ministry attended the meeting.

Later, Annie said discussions were held on preparations to face the monsoon, including possible floods and waterlogging.

“We informed the Prime Minister of our plans and the measures needed in advance,” he said, adding that canal excavation programmes are ongoing, and the Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate such programmes in Jashore on April 27 and in Sylhet on May 2, reports UNB.