Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku on Friday said that corruption and black marketing are occurring amid a sudden surge in fuel demand, although the overall supply remains stable.
The minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting a 68-megawatt solar power plant in the Soydabad area of Sirajganj’s sadar upazila.
He said the recent spike in fuel demand has been driven by global circumstances, including tensions involving Iran, prompting consumers to purchase and store more fuel than usual.
“Supply is normal, but demand has increased sharply. Petrol pumps that previously sold a full tanker of fuel over the course of a day are now selling the same amount within just two to three hours,” he said, adding that such pressure on storage capacity can lead to temporary shortages at filling stations.
The minister alleged that some opportunistic groups are exploiting the situation through corrupt practices and black marketing, with such activities being reported across the country.
He added that deputy commissioners and superintendents of police have been instructed to intensify monitoring efforts to curb irregularities in fuel distribution.
Highlighting the government’s focus on renewable energy, the minister said his visit underscored ongoing initiatives to expand solar power generation.
He noted that Sirajganj has significant land resources, making it a promising location for future solar energy projects.
