Passenger welfare group urges govt to reverse Tk 20 fuel price hike

The Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the sudden midnight decision to hike fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre.

The passenger rights advocacy group called for a reversal of the move and the restoration of previous rates in a statement issued on Monday.

"Fuel prices in the global market are now trending downward. The country is gripped by extreme instability, driven by rising commodity prices, mounting inflation and growing unemployment as factories shut down amid the energy crisis," it added.

The group said the government had raised fuel prices twice in seven months of taking office, instead of supporting people during the crisis.

“This has driven up fares and costs across transport, communication, goods and passenger movement, and industrial production."

The organisation called on the government to step back from this "anti-people" decision, withdraw the price hike and restore the previous rates.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division issued an order on Sunday night setting new fuel prices.

Under the new rates, diesel will sell at Tk 135 per litre, kerosene at Tk 155, octane at Tk 165 and petrol at Tk 160.

Association Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said, "It's a reality that the government will run business in some sectors and provide subsidies in others, in the public interest.

"At a time of severe financial crisis, it is the government's responsibility to keep the economy running by subsidising the energy sector, and to stand by struggling citizens by curbing inflation."