PM holds special meeting on fuel situation, no decision on price hike

No decision has been taken on rising fuel prices, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said.

While briefing the media on the activities of the government today (25 March), he added, "There is no shortage of fuel in the country, nor do we think we will face a shortage."

Swapan spoke with the media after a special meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on measures to address the fuel situation in the country. 

The meeting was held at the prime minister's Cabinet Division office in the Secretariat this morning. 

Following the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war with Iran, a fuel crisis arose across the world, especially in countries which depend on imports for energy generation, said Swapan.

He said the minister and state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, on the direction of the prime minister, are handling the situation and have not given any directive to raise prices.

Even the prices in Bangladesh are lower than in neighbouring countries, he added.

However, due to misinformation being spread on traditional media and social media, panic buying has begun in the country. This is creating pressure on the government, said the information minister.

He urged the media personnel to raise awareness against panic buying.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Choudhury, adviser on the ministry Dr Zahed Ur Rahman and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana were present.

Speaking at the press conference, Swapan said according to the latest census, there are 4.1 crore families in the country and the government has planned to provide a 'family card' to the head of each family, reports BSS.

He said more than 37,000 families have already been received family cards under a pilot project. 

These families will receive a cash assistance of Tk2,500 per month, he said, adding that all eligible families will be brought under this programme in phases.

Mentioning the steps taken for the welfare of those involved in religious works, the minister said an honorarium has been introduced for imams, muazzins and other religious staff. 

"Already, 4,908 imams, 990 priests, 144 Buddhist monastery principals and 396 church pastors have been brought under coverage of this allowance. All religious institutions in the country will be brought under this programme in the next four fiscal years," he said.

Swapan said on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, sarees, three-pieces, lungis and cash have been distributed among the poor. 

In addition, he said, initiatives have been taken to institutionalise the zakat system.

Focusing on the progress of the agricultural sector, the minister said the government has already taken an initiative to launch the 'Farmer Card'. 

"From the next Pahela Baishakh, this card will be distributed to 21,014 farmers in 11 upazilas of 8 divisions on an experimental basis. Through this, farmers will get an incentive of Taka 2,500 per year," he said.

He said the government has planned to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country. 

As part of this, work has already started in 54 districts, the information minister said, adding that a target of digging 1,200 kilometres of canals has been set in the first 180 days.

Giving the example of the government's frugality and discarding the VIP culture, he said members of parliament have decided not to take tax-free car and plot facilities. 

At the same time, Swapan said, VIP protocols have been cut and initiatives have been taken to ensure austerity in government expenditure.

Regarding the energy situation, he said despite the pressure of the global situation, the government has not taken any decision to hike fuel prices so far. 

He called upon all to prevent rumors and refrain from 'panic buying' of fuel. 

He also mentioned that the requirement of prior approval for repatriation of investments up to Tk100 crore has been lifted to encourage foreign investment.

Informing about the government's steps to prevent worker unrest, the minister said about Tk2,500 crore has been allocated to ensure the payment of arrears of salaries and bonuses to workers before the Eid-ul-Fitr. 

As a result, he said, there was no unrest in the industrial area.

Highlighting the progress in the health sector, the information minister said initiatives have been taken to launch e-'health cards' and recruit one lakh new health workers in which 80% of them will be women. 

In addition, he said, advance measures are being taken to prevent dengue outbreak.

Regarding law and order and social security, Swapan said special measures have been taken to contain extortion and ensure the safety of women. 

Initiatives have been taken to launch 'pink buses' to make travel easier for women passengers, he said.

He also said to develop sports as profession, the government has a plan to make sports education mandatory from the primary level and to appoint sports teachers in every upazila.

He mentioned the government's initiatives regarding loan waiver for small and marginal farmers, enactment of the Expatriate Welfare Foundation Act and introduction of free WiFi at airports.

The minister said the government has relaxed the conditions for providing loans of up to Tk10 lakh through Probashi Kallyan Bank for those wishing to go to Japan on language student visas.

He also said arrangements will be made to provide loans of up to Tk10 lakh to students for higher education as proof of bank solvency or financial capacity.

Swapan said the government is working on a comprehensive plan to ensure the overall development of the country. 

These initiatives will be successful with the active cooperation of all, he added.