Published : 09 Aug 2026, 04:15 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:31 AM
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has issued a clarification following media reports that a policy to open the refined fuel oil market to the private sector was being rushed through after an application from the Bashundhara Group.
The government maintains that no final decision has been taken over permission for the private sector to import and market refined fuel oil.
In a media statement issued on Saturday, the ministry claimed that "speculative and false information" was being circulated across certain media outlets and social media platforms regarding the proposed policy.
The government called on all relevant parties to exercise responsibility.
According to the statement, the initiative to draft the policy was undertaken to ensure an uninterrupted and secure supply of fuel oil across the country.
"There is no scope to afford special privileges to any specific individual, institution, or group through this policy," the ministry said.
Bashundhara Oil and Gas Company Ltd submitted an application to the government on May 24 seeking permission to import refined fuel oil.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division subsequently forwarded the application to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on Jul 2 for its assessment.
Just over a month later, the BPC was instructed to draft the "Policy on Private Sector Import, Storage, Transportation, Distribution, and Marketing of Refined Fuel, 2026".
The Opposition Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded that the draft policy and all related documentation be made public, with a minimum of 60 days allowed for public consultation.
Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, the party's Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar outlined their objections, warning that handing over the import, storage, and distribution of refined fuel oil to private entities would amount to "a new licence for looting".
In response, the ministry said the plan aims to utilise private sector infrastructure and investment alongside state mechanisms during emergencies or supply crises.
The government reiterated that the policy will only be finalised after consulting stakeholders across the energy sector.
"Consideration will only be given to implementing such a policy if public interest, energy security, market competition, transparency, and accountability can be fully guaranteed," the statement read.
