Published : 28 Mar 2026, 05:49 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:32 PM
Amid persistent pressure at filling stations, the government has moved to tighten fuel management, deciding to appoint tag officers to oversee sales, monitor stock, and submit daily reports nationwide.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Saturday said the decision came at an online meeting chaired by Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.
The move aims to supervise the country’s fuel management operations amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will appoint tag officers in Dhaka and Chattogram cities.
Outside these cities, district and Upazila administrators will assign one government official as tag officer for each petrol pump under their jurisdiction.
These officers will work according to procedures set by the energy division and BPC.
Relevant offices and agencies have been requested to appoint tag officers and forward the information to the division.
Earlier, government vigilance teams were deployed across districts to curb illegal stockpiling. Informants were offered rewards, and operations in places including Patenga, Chattogram, recovered 6,000 litres of diesel.
Amid Middle East instability, initial rationing was introduced to address potential fuel shortages, though it was later withdrawn.
Yet pressure at filling stations persists, with some pumps unable to meet demand, others closed, and some selling fuel in limited quantities.
Authorities have also launched initiatives to raise public awareness on fuel and electricity conservation, including QR codes, banners, school campaigns, messages at places of worship, and leaflet distribution.
On Friday, 293 fuel inspections and mobile courts were conducted nationwide in a single day, resulting in 78 legal cases and fines totalling Tk 315,550.
Energy division magistrates continue daily mobile courts in Dhaka, with operations set to continue on Sunday in Dhaka and surrounding areas.
