The government of Bangladesh is providing around Tk2,500 crore each month as subsidy to the fuel sector in a bid to ensure uninterrupted supply amid global instability.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday, Energy Ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury confirmed the matter.
He said the subsidy is being provided to cushion the impact of the ongoing international conflict on domestic consumers.
He noted that despite the external pressures, the country currently has adequate fuel reserves and there is no need for panic buying or unnecessary stockpiling.
At the same time, the government has intensified enforcement drives to curb illegal hoarding of fuel.
“Some individuals are attempting to stockpile fuel for profiteering. We are taking strict action against such activities,” he said.
According to the ministry, law enforcement agencies have carried out 361 mobile court drives recently, resulting in fines exceeding Tk 5 lakh and jail sentences for two individuals.
Overall, authorities have conducted 7,342 drives across the country so far, filed 31 cases, and imposed total fines amounting to Tk1.43 crore. In addition, 36 individuals have been sentenced to imprisonment for their involvement in illegal fuel storage and trading.
During these operations, a significant quantity of fuel has been recovered, including 3,05,247 litres of diesel, 36,621 litres of octane and 80,374 litres of petrol.
In total, around 4,69,042 litres of illegally hoarded fuel have been seized, the spokesperson added.
The government has been regularly updating the public on fuel availability since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East on 28 February, aiming to maintain stability in the energy market and prevent misinformation.
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