Staff Reporter:

Fuel reserves in Bangladesh have increased with the arrival of two fuel-laden ships, but the government will continue rationing supplies due to uncertainty surrounding the ongoing war, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku said today (8 March).

“Once these two ships deliver fuel, our reserves will increase further,” he said while speaking at a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club.

The minister said rising reserves do not mean fuel can be used in an uncontrolled manner. “We will continue rationing for as long as the war continues.”

Explaining the need for rationing, Tuku said the duration of the war remains uncertain and the government wants to use the existing reserves carefully.

“We do not know when the war will end. That is why we have asked people to use fuel sparingly and introduced rationing so that the reserves last longer. If we consume everything at once, the reserves will quickly run out. But if we manage consumption properly, we will be able to continue for a longer time,” he added.

Tuku also said rumours are being spread that the government may increase electricity and fuel prices due to the war.

“I want to assure people that we are not increasing power prices for now,” he said.

The minister urged people not to panic or stockpile fuel out of fear of a price hike.

“There is no shortage of fuel, but rationing must continue. We do not know when the war will end, and people should understand that,” he added.

The minister also urged BNP leaders and activists, as well as the public, to remain vigilant so that fuel is not smuggled or sold on the black market.

Referring to the condition of the power sector under the previous government, Tuku said the current administration inherited a fragile and debt-ridden system with outstanding dues of around Tk76,000 crore.

“Despite the challenges, we have managed to keep the system stable so far, and we hope it will remain stable in the future,” he said.