Fuel prices likely to rise due to Middle East conflict: Fakhrul
"War has broken out and fuel supply has decreased, but vandalising petrol pumps is not acceptable. We will deal with mob violence strictly," he says.
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (23 March) said the country is heading towards a difficult period due to the Middle East conflict and warned that fuel prices and the prices of essential goods may rise in the coming days.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest after inaugurating the re-excavation of the Neha River in Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon District under a nationwide initiative to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals and other waterbodies.
"Our time ahead is not very good; difficult days are coming. The war in the Middle East is causing us major losses. Fuel prices will increase and the prices of goods will also go up. We will have to endure this and move forward," Fakhrul said.
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Referring to the recent vandalism at a petrol pump, the minister said such incidents would not be tolerated.
"War has broken out and fuel supply has decreased, but vandalising petrol pumps is not acceptable. We will deal with mob violence strictly and will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands," he added.
Calling for transparency and proper implementation of the canal excavation programme, Fakhrul said around 20,000 canals would be brought under excavation across the country. He urged the local administration to ensure the project continues smoothly and does not stall after its inauguration.
Recalling earlier initiatives, he said former president Ziaur Rahman had launched canal excavation efforts in 1976 and sustained initiatives could have helped prevent many of the country's current water-related challenges.
Fakhrul, also the BNP secretary general, further said the government led by Tarique Rahman would fulfil its promises to the people.
Noting that BNP places the highest importance on farmers' issues, the minister said following Ziaur Rahman's canal excavation programme, Khaleda Zia had undertaken extensive initiatives for farmers' welfare, including waiving agricultural loans up to Taka 5,000 and land taxes up to 25 bighas of farmland.
"Under Tarique Rahman's leadership, the BNP government has already begun implementing its electoral promises to farmers within a short time, as agricultural loans up to Tk10,000 have been waived with interest," he said.
Fakhrul said the Family Card has already been launched and now canal excavation is being carried out as a natural solution to irrigation problems.
State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, and other distinguished persons of the district were present at the event organised by the Thakurgaon Water Development Board.
