Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, has delivered a statement in the Jatiya Sangsad regarding the country’s fuel stock and supply situation.
In his statement on Monday, the minister said that the tendency to hoard fuel has now become a bigger problem than any actual shortage in the market.
He noted that global instability, particularly tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region, could affect Bangladesh’s fuel supply. However, he assured that the government has maintained a stable supply system through advance preparation and planning.
The minister informed that between February 17 and March 29—a span of 41 days—diesel sales totaled 482,000 metric tons. Despite this significant volume of sales, the country still maintains a diesel stock of 218,000 metric tons.
Explaining the current situation, he said the long queues at fuel stations are primarily due to excessive purchasing beyond actual needs and the tendency toward illegal hoarding. In March this year, octane sales nearly doubled compared to the same period last year. He cited examples of high-demand stations in Dhaka, including Tejgaon Trust Filling Station, Asad Gate, Shahbagh, and Gulshan Service Station.
The minister assured that despite global challenges, the government has not increased fuel prices and continues to bear substantial subsidies in the public interest.
Highlighting the cost structure, he stated that diesel is being sold at Tk 100 per liter, while the actual cost is Tk 198. Similarly, octane is sold at Tk 120 per liter against a real cost of Tk 150.72. The government’s goal, he said, is to provide relief to the public and ensure stability in fuel supply.
To meet demand, arrangements have been made to import 50,000 metric tons of octane in April, which is expected to meet the country’s demand for two months.
Urging citizens to prioritize national interest over personal gain, the minister emphasized the need for public cooperation to maintain a smooth fuel supply. He called on people to avoid unnecessary purchases and illegal hoarding.
He also mentioned that the government has introduced rewards for those providing information on fuel smuggling in border areas.
Additionally, the minister reported that the government has conducted 3,168 operations and filed 1,053 cases to curb irregularities in the fuel sector.