Fuel Prices Cannot Be Controlled Because of War, Tk 43,000 Crore Subsidy in Six Months: Power Minister

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has said the fuel situation is unsettled across the world because of war, and that it is not possible to control fuel prices because of the war.

The power minister made the remarks on Thursday (5 November) afternoon after a meeting organised by the Natore district administration on the district's law and order situation, development activities and overall supervision and coordination of government work.

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the government has provided Tk 43,000 crore in subsidies in the fuel sector over the past six months. Because of this, he said, it is becoming difficult to run the country's normal development and social activities.

The power minister said the government is providing subsidies for solar panels, and that farmers are being encouraged to irrigate farmland with solar power where there is agricultural land, so that irrigation can be carried out.

He said the government is trying to ensure there is no difficulty in irrigating farmland in the coming season.

On gas fields, the power minister said gas fields have been drilled since the government came to power and two positive results have been obtained. If that gas is extracted, he said, gas will definitely be distributed in a balanced way to industry in Natore.

Noting that drugs have spread in the country, the minister said the next generation must be protected from drugs and a social movement must be built for that purpose.

Highlighting the role of parents in preventing drugs, he said parents have to work from home for their children, and that officers-in-charge of police stations must play an active role in this regard.

Others who spoke at the meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Sumoni Akter, included National Parliament Whip and Natore-2 MP Advocate M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu and Natore-3 MP Principal Anwarul Islam Anu.

Present at the event were Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Asma Khatun, district BNP convener Rahim Newaz, member secretary Asaduzzaman Asad and district BNP joint convener Mostafizur Rahman Shahin.