Dhaka [Bangladesh], March 31 : The escalating security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region has affected energy supplies across parts of world, with Bangladeshis giving a call to the government to ensure protection against chaos and confusion.
Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, Convenor of Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners' Association told ANI, "The demand and buyer of the fuel are abnormal... I have requested the government to give enough support in terms of what to say regarding the protection against any chaos and confusion. The government has specifically given specialised officers in each and every filling station to monitor the sale and distribution..."
He added, "We have suggested to give a timeframe so that we can deliver properly and opportunists should not hoard the product."
Earlier, queues were seen lined outside petrol pumps in Bangladesh.
Dhaka Tribune reported on Tuesday, citing officials that district administrations across 64 districts recovered 87,700 liters of illegally hoarded fuel in 24 hours.
As per Dhaka Tribune, during the drives, 191 cases were filed, and fines totalling Tk 935,070 were imposed.
The details were shared by Monir Hossain Chowdhury, spokesperson and joint secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, at a press briefing at the Secretariat. He said 391 drives were conducted during the period based on reports from district administrations.
It was also reported that seven individuals were sentenced during the operations. One person in Satkhira received a two-month jail term, one in Chandpur was sentenced to one year, and one in Gazipur received one month.
According to Dhaka Tribune, of the recovered fuel, 67,400 liters were diesel, 6,444 liters octane, and 13,856 liters petrol.
Amid the energy crisis in Bangladesh caused by the conflict in West Asia, India has supplied an additional 5,000 tons of diesel, a senior government official said on Friday night.
"An additional 5,000 tons of diesel have arrived in Bangladesh from India. With this, Bangladesh has now received a total of 15,000 tons of diesel from India in recent times," Md. Murshed Hossain Azad, General Manager (Commercial), Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), toldover the phone."
"In the coming month of April, India has proposed to supply 40,000 tons of diesel to Bangladesh. We have officially accepted this proposal," Azad said, without elaborating.
Bangladesh imports diesel primarily from India, Singapore, and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Daily Star reported that the government is moving to diversify its fuel imports. It has reached out to Singapore, Malaysia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Australia and the US for potential fuel and gas supplies.
The country is also expecting two additional shipments at around 6,000 tonnes from Indonesia.
Also in March, the price of aviation fuel (jet fuel) was increased for the second time in a month in Bangladesh.
Due to the ongoing conflict in the West Asia, the fuel crisis in Bangladesh has taken on a severe form, especially at various fuel stations, where there are long queues and all sorts of chaotic conditions, with petrol pump owners are also expressing serious concerns.
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