Government keeps diesel, kerosene, octane, petrol prices steady for May

Retail fuel rates will continue at existing levels from May 1

The government has kept retail prices of diesel, kerosene, octane and petrol unchanged.

As a result, these fuels will continue to be sold at the previously fixed rates from May 1.

The government has opted to keep the retail prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol steady for May after a massive jump in rates just a fortnight ago.

This means consumers will continue to pay the current prices from May 1.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division confirmed the outcome of its monthly fuel price review on Thursday, keeping diesel at Tk 115 per litre, kerosene at Tk 130, petrol at Tk 135 and octane at Tk 140 at the consumer level.

The decision comes after a recent sharp upward revision in April, when fuel prices were increased by double-digit margins amid volatility in the global oil market linked to Middle East tensions.

During that adjustment, diesel prices rose by Tk 15 to Tk 115, octane by Tk 20 taka to Tk 140, petrol by Tk 19 to Tk 135, and kerosene by Tk 18 to Tk 130.

The energy ministry justified the previous spike by pointing to rising costs in the international market.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku later said the government had been compelled to raise fuel prices.

Fuel prices remained largely stable for months, moving Tk 1–2 at a time before April’s sharp rise above 10 percent.

Supply chains were severely disrupted after the outbreak of the Iran war, leading to rationing as part of fuel-saving measures.

Fears of a shortage triggered panic buying, with motorists forming exhausted queues at filling stations nationwide.

While petrol and octane were initially scarce, the crisis eventually hit diesel supplies, leaving many pumps crowded day and night.