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Published : 30 Mar 2026, 12:31 PM
The government has announced a maximum of Tk 100,000 as a reward for those helping the local administration with proper information on illegal hoarding and smuggling of fuel oil.
The information was shared in a notice issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division on Monday.
The notice said the initiative was taken to raise public participation in preventing illegal hoarding and smuggling of fuel oil and to allow authorities to take action based on field level information.
The announcement comes amid the government's recent moves to increase surveillance around fuel supply, storage and sales. Earlier, on Friday night, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said in a message that "vigilance teams" have been formed in all districts to monitor fuel supply and that a reward would be announced for those providing information to stop illegal stockpiling. The ministry had earlier said that these vigilance teams will work in each district to prevent illegal oil trade.
The reward amount has now been announced.
In Friday's message, conscious citizens were requested to provide specific complaints or suggestions. Separate teams and contact numbers have also been published for different districts of the country.
In most of the districts in the list, additional district magistrates have been appointed as conveners of the teams. In some places, additional deputy commissioners, general, and additional deputy commissioners are performing the duty.
The ministry said that the district administration is in a strict position to maintain discipline in the energy sector, keep the supply system regular and prevent illegal hoarding. Oil depots, petrol pumps and related oil traders have been kept under strict surveillance and such operations will continue, it said.
When there was a fear of fuel shortage due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the government had earlier introduced rationing. Later, that rationing was lifted to reduce the pressure. Despite this, the shortages at filling stations in different parts of the country has not eased. In some places, supply was not sufficient to meet demand. In others, pumps were closed. Limited sales have also been proceeding in other areas.
Under the circumstances, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division has taken the initiative to reduce the gap between demand and supply by coordinating with deputy commissioners.
Officials said that the department is holding online meetings with the managing directors of the three state-owned fuel marketing companies - Padma Oil, Meghna Petroleum and Jamuna Oil - every morning to discuss the supply situation. Deputy commissioners have also been included in this coordination process to quickly address the shortage at the field level.
The government has also taken initiatives like providing QR codes, banners, school-based campaigns, messages and leaflets distribution in places of worship to raise public awareness on energy and power conservation.
Earlier, tag officers were appointed nationwide to supervise filling stations and detailed terms of reference were determined for them. In line with that, the government has now taken the initiative to involve the general public in collecting information against illegal hoarders and smugglers.
The department said it will work in coordination with local administrations to maintain order in the fuel supply system, prevent artificial crises, and ensure normal supply at the consumer level.
