Government keeps diesel, petrol, octane and kerosene prices steady amid global tensions

Diesel will continue to be sold at Tk 100 per litre, octane Tk 120, petrol Tk 116, and kerosene Tk 112, authorities say

Despite pressures on the energy sector from ongoing Middle East conflicts, the government has kept retail fuel prices unchanged for April.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division on Tuesday said, under the “Automatic Fuel Price Determination Guidelines (Amendment)”, the authority has approved the continuation of existing retail rates.

Diesel: Tk 100 per litre

Octane: Tk 120 per litre

Petrol: Tk 116 per litre

Kerosene: Tk 112 per litre

The prices will take effect from Apr 1.

These rates, initially set in February with slight reductions of Tk 2 per litre across diesel, octane, petrol, and kerosene, remained unchanged in March and will now continue in April.

Since March 2024, the government has been aligning monthly fuel prices with international market trends using an automatic adjustment system.

In the first phase, diesel and kerosene prices were reduced by Tk 0.75, petrol by Tk 3, and octane by Tk 4 per litre.

Earlier on Tuesday, hints had emerged that the government might revise prices in line with global markets.

Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury said the final decision would consider overall market conditions.

In recent weeks, concerns over supply and stock levels across the country have prompted the government to reaffirm its stance against price hikes.

Power Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku told parliament on Monday, “There is no shortage of fuel in the country; in fact, supply has increased by 10–25 percent compared with last year.”

“Some local crises are caused by over-purchasing and hoarding.”

“While diesel’s actual cost is Tk 100 per litre, it sells at Tk 198; octane’s actual cost Tk 120, but is sold at Tk 150.72.”

He also warned that rising international prices could result in a subsidy burden of Tk 160.45 billion for diesel and octane from March to June.