Awami League Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud commented that despite the price increase, the price of fuel oil in the country is equal to India and lower than many neighboring countries.
Stating that the government gave 53,000 crores of subsidies to the energy and power sector in the last financial year, the Information Minister said, “The neighboring countries did not give such subsidies, so the price of fuel oil in those countries was increased long ago and their prices were much higher than ours. In India, the neighboring country, the price of diesel is Tk 114 in Bangladeshi currency and the price of octane is Tk 134-135. Due to the low price in our country, a lot of fuel oil was being smuggled through the border.
Bangabandhu’s eldest son Sheikh Kamal spoke at a discussion meeting at Dhaka University’s Teacher-Student Center (TSC) auditorium on the occasion of the 73rd birth anniversary. Dhaka University branch of Bangladesh Chhatra League organized the discussion on ‘Shaikh Kamal, a reflection of challenged youth’. This information was informed in a press release sent by the Ministry of Information.
At the beginning of the speech, the minister commemorated Shaheed Sheikh Kamal. He said, martyred freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal was an excellent sports and cultural organizer. As long as Bangladesh exists, Sheikh Kamal will live as the power of youth in the hearts of every youth.
Regarding the increase in the price of fuel, he said, after the price increase in Bangladesh, the price of diesel is now Tk 114 per liter. This domestic currency is Tk 114 in Calcutta, India. Taka, 138.24 Taka in Indonesia, 189.78 Taka in Singapore, 260.75 Taka in Hong Kong. That is, even after the price adjustment in our country, the price is lower than these neighboring countries and is equal to India.
Regarding the impact of fuel price hike on the transport sector, Hashan Mahmood said that if a 50-seater bus has 70% passengers, the price increase will be only 29 paisa per kilometer.
Now the fare is 1 taka 80 paisa per kilometer, now 29 paisa will increase to 2 taka 9 paisa. The government will soon sit down with everyone in the transport sector, so that no one can take unfair advantage. At this time, the minister called upon the leaders and activists of BCL to come forward with correct information on social media in this regard.
Under the chairmanship of Dhaka University Chhatra League President Sanjit Chandra Das and moderated by General Secretary Saddam Hossain, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Samad and Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash spoke as the main speakers. Chhatra League president Al Nahian Khan Joy and general secretary writer Bhattacharya were the special speakers.
Mukti Jodha Sangsad Chittagong meeting on the occasion of Mourning Day
In the afternoon, the Information and Broadcasting Minister joined the discussion meeting organized by the Chittagong Metropolitan Unit Command of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Parliament and gave a speech as the chief guest. He said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman created the independent sovereign Bangladesh by leading the great war of liberation by awakening the consciousness of nationhood in the hearts of Bengalis who had been sleeping for thousands of years and worked towards making the country a developed and prosperous state, he gave his life tirelessly. That is why he is the greatest Bengali of all time and the father of our nation. Not only that, he is unique among the best leaders in the world.
Stating that the killers of Bangabandhu wanted to kill not only him, but our freedom, Hasan Mahmud said, today Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu, is turning the country into the golden Bengal of Bangabandhu’s dream. We should all be united and active with Bangabandhukanya.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee related to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Awami League Finance and Planning Secretary Wasika Ayesha Khan addressed the meeting under the chairmanship of Chittagong Muktijoddha Sangsad Chairman Mozaffar Ahmed. Awami League Deputy Propaganda Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, Chittagong Press Club President Ali Abbas and General Secretary Chowdhury Farid spoke as special guests.