IMF Has No Condition for Fuel Price Hike: Dr Jahed
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Jahed Ur Rahman has said there is no condition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) linked to the increase in fuel prices.
He said the decision to adjust fuel prices was not taken because of any specific IMF condition.
He made the remarks while answering questions from journalists at a press briefing on the progress of government activities and current issues at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat on Tuesday (September 22).
Regarding the fuel price hike, Dr Jahed Ur Rahman said, ‘There is no such condition from the IMF.’ In other words, the government has said there is no scope to directly link the recent fuel price adjustment to any IMF condition.
Earlier on Monday night, the government increased the retail prices of diesel, kerosene, petrol and octane by Tk 20 per litre. Under the new prices, diesel is being sold at Tk 135 per litre, kerosene at Tk 155, petrol at Tk 160 and octane at Tk 165. The prices of several fuel products were also adjusted in June.
The fuel price hike has also triggered fresh discussions about its impact on the transport sector. The State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said the government is working with the ministries concerned, including the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Ministry of Shipping, to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation by charging excessive fares or creating an artificial shortage.
