Anisul Islam Noor :
The government plans to raise the price of natural gas, diesel and kerosene to reduce subsidy on oil as per prescription of the IMF, sources said.
Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral resources has drafted the proposal, which will be sent to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) for mass hearing, sources said.
If the existing subsidy is minimised, Tk five per litre for diesel and kerosene will be increased. However the power plants may be exempted from paying increased price.
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Haimid said, the government would provide subsidy directly to farmers, who produce paddy.
The government latest increased the price of petroleum products in January. Economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, said that it would not be wise to increase price of diesel and kerosene because it would put pressure on common people and will affect Boro production and raise inflation. He said the government decided to increase fuel prices at a time when petroleum prices are stable in the international market. The government needs to provide incentives to farmers to ensure the country’s food security.
At present per litre of diesel is selling at Tk 68, kerosene at Tk 68. Octane at Tk 99 and petrol at Tk 96. This is the fifth time the Awami League led coalition government is going to raise fuel prices.
