Energy Bangla

A parliamentary panel has prodded the government to see if prices of fuel oil in the domestic market can be cut since international prices are in a freefall.
The recommendation came from a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on power, energy and mineral resources ministry on Tuesday amidst call from different quarters including businesses.
Committee member Md Atiur Rahman Atik told the news agency that they discussed if a cut in oil prices would impact the rates at the consumer level.
“The ministry has been asked to review if oil prices can be cut or not,” he said.
Atiq, also a whip, said the committee discussed several alternatives to oil price cut – reduction in prices of fertilisers and household electricity – to ensure that the benefit reaches the consumers.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation had last hiked per litre prices of octane to Tk 99, petrol to Tk 96, and kerosene to Tk 68 in 2013 when rates of crude oil reached $122 a barrel globally.
The state-run agency has been persisting with the prices since then though crude oil prices have plunged below $40 in the international market.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith disclosed a plan in September last year for downward adjustment of oil prices but Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal came up with an opposite version days later.