Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday (Nov 6) said the government re-fixed prices of diesel and kerosene in a bid to stop smuggling of fuels.

He said, "Despite the government's unwillingness, the prices of diesel and kerosene were re-fixed due to the price hike in the international market and to stop fuel smuggling." 

Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, was addressing a press conference at his residence in Dhaka.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in London, is monitoring the overall situation regarding the price hike of fuel in Bangladesh.

The premier and her government always take into consideration the issue of 'public interest' with utmost sincerity and attaching great importance, he said.

Quader said the fare re-fixation committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will hold a meeting tomorrow.

The committee in consultation with the stakeholders will try its level best to keep the pressure of extra travel cost on people at tolerable level through adjustment of transport fare based on realty, he added.

He reiterated his call to the transport owners and workers to withdraw strike considering the plight of students and general people.

BDST: 1547 HRS, NOV 06, 2021
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