The increase in prices of diesel and kerosene has already started directly affecting the common people, making their lives miserable. The government on Thursday has increased the fuel price refixing Tk. 80 per litre for diesel and kerosene at Tk. 65 per litre. It says the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Besides, the price of private operators’ liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has also been raised to Tk1,313 per 12kg container from Tk1259 with effect from Thursday at the retail level. Therefore, price hike in fuel and LPG will increase the costs of living further as the costs of production and transportation of goods will be increasing immediately. Also, power prices will also go up as well since many plants use diesel as fuel. Apart from these, main exporting industry, readymade garment and other factories will also be affected.
We hope that the government will take the issue
seriously and devise necessary measures
to fix it
On the other hand, soon after the announcement, transport operators called an indefinite nationwide strike from Friday in protest against the fuel price hike, causing immense sufferings to the people especially the job seekers who were scheduled to appear for written examinations in capital Dhaka on the day. At least 26 government and private organisations were supposed to arrange written examinations on Friday as part of recruitment process. Thousands of travellers got stranded at different places across the country due to non-availability of buses, coaches and other transports. Apart from the travellers, examinees of admission tests for the Dhaka University-affiliated seven colleges suffered a lot due to lack of public transport.
Besides, the prices of different essentials including vegetables, jumped sharply in the capital as supply chains have been disrupted due to sudden transport strike. We think the latest fuel price hike will start burning a hole in the pockets of the common people now reeling under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As common people are already facing serious financial hardship due to the skyrocketing price of essentials, their sufferings will be mounted further due to fresh hike in fuel price.
The farmers and transporters will also be encouraged to take chance to increase the prices of essentials and transport fare respectively to recover costs. So, it is clear that there will be a spike in the prices of daily commodities and transport fair again. Therefore, we hope that the government will take the issue seriously and devise necessary measures to fix it.