Bangladesh has announced a cash reward of up to Tk1 lakh for reporting fuel hoarding as the government intensifies efforts to stabilise supply and curb illegal stockpiling during a nationwide fuel crisis.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division said individuals who provide specific and verifiable information on illegal fuel storage and smuggling to local authorities will be eligible for the incentive.
Officials said the move is part of a broader enforcement strategy aimed at ensuring uninterrupted distribution of petroleum products and preventing market manipulation.
“The government will provide a maximum reward of Tk1 lakh to informers who assist in identifying illegal fuel stockpiling and smuggling,” the division said in an official statement.
Authorities have stepped up monitoring across depots, filling stations and transport routes, deploying vigilance teams and increasing field-level inspections nationwide.
The policy intervention comes as Bangladesh faces mounting pressure on its fuel supply chain, with long queues reported at petrol stations in Dhaka and other urban centres. Despite the formal withdrawal of rationing measures introduced earlier, many filling stations continue to impose informal limits on fuel sales.
Officials said motorcycles are typically receiving fuel worth Tk500 to Tk600, while private vehicles face similar restrictions, reflecting ongoing supply constraints.
The government has warned of strict action against those involved in hoarding and illegal fuel trading, stressing that such practices disrupt distribution systems and create artificial shortages.
The current supply strain is linked to global energy market disruptions, particularly in the Middle East. Following military developments involving Iran in late February, authorities in Tehran announced restrictions affecting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for global oil shipments.
Energy analysts say the disruption has increased import costs, strained foreign exchange reserves and complicated fuel procurement for import-dependent economies such as Bangladesh.
The reward scheme is designed to encourage public participation in monitoring irregularities and strengthen regulatory oversight of the fuel market.
Officials said maintaining supply discipline and preventing illegal stockpiling remain key priorities as Bangladesh navigates external energy shocks and domestic demand pressures.
