The Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings has sought an explanation from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) over the fuel crisis that emerged after the government took office.
It questioned how the crisis was resolved through fuel price hikes despite no change in the existing supply system.
The explanation was placed on Tuesday during the first meeting of the Committee of the 13th Jatiya Sangshad, held at Parliament Bhaban complex.
The meeting was chaired by Committee President and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni.
The committee reviewed the activities of BPC and its subsidiary organisations, with discussions focusing on the reasons behind repeated fuel price adjustments, measures to keep petroleum prices affordable for consumers and the role of Padma Oil PLC, Meghna Petroleum PLC and Jamuna Oil PLC in price revisions.
Members particularly discussed the causes behind the fuel crisis following the government’s assumption of office and sought clarification from BPC on how the crisis was addressed through fuel price increases while the supply arrangements remained unchanged.
The committee also recommended that BPC and its affiliated organisations provide detailed information at the next meeting on the country’s current fuel demand, storage capacity and preparedness to meet future requirements.
It further asked the relevant authorities to prepare updated and realistic plans to keep fuel prices affordable for the public and submit those plans to the committee.
The meeting was attended by Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Whip Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, Mst Tahsina Rushdir, Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, Mohammad Coysor Ahmed, Bishwash Jahangir Alam, Md Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan and Mohammad Najibur Rahman.
The Secretary in charge of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, BPC officials and representatives from the Jatiya Sangshad Secretariat, ministries, divisions and related organisations were also present.
