Parliament declines adjournment motion on fuel crisis, signals alternative debate route

Deputy speaker and home minister say the issue merits discussion, but not by suspending parliamentary business

Parliament has rejected an adjournment motion brought by Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman to debate the country’s fuel crisis and its impact on power generation, industry and daily life, though leaders across the aisle signalled the issue could still be discussed under other rules.

The matter arose on Monday as the House moved to dispose of two adjournment notices under Rule 62, submitted by Shafiqur and Jamaat-e-Islami MP Nurul Islam of Chapainawabganj-3.

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal said both notices sought discussion on the same issue.

Reading out the proposal, he noted that Shafiqur had called for suspending parliamentary proceedings to debate the “severe nationwide fuel crisis” and its cascading effects.

But with discussions already under way on the president’s address, Kamal said the issue could be raised without adjourning the session.

“Discussion is possible without suspending the House. Adjournment is not appropriate,” he ruled, rejecting both notices under Rule 63.

He added that the state minister for power had already issued a statement under Rule 300, and further debate could be considered if a fresh notice was submitted under relevant provisions.

Taking the floor, Rahman described the crisis as the “most burning issue” facing the country.

“If parliament cannot discuss the most pressing problem of the people, that would be unfortunate,” he said, insisting the Opposition was not seeking to assign blame but to understand the reality and find solutions.

He said earlier attempts under Rule 71 had failed and warned that rejecting the motion would signal that parliament could not address the country’s gravest concerns.

“The government says there is no shortage, but people see a different picture,” he added.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed agreed the issue was “important and worthy of discussion”, but opposed halting proceedings.

He suggested debate could proceed under Rules 71 or 68, allowing statements and questions without disrupting the session.

“There is no crisis of fuel or gas,” he said, citing official data, adding that prices were raised slightly to maintain discipline and curb misuse.

Shafiqur countered that “the crisis is not inside parliament, but outside”, pointing to disruptions such as virtual court operations due to energy-saving measures.

The deputy speaker later urged the Opposition leader to submit a fresh notice, assuring that parliament would take “effective steps” for a meaningful discussion.