Increase in price of fuel oil and suffering in public life

|| Md Toslim Bhuiyan Prantik ||

People's lives have started to return to normal as soon as the epidemic is over. But the image around us is changing. In addition to the long global losses due to epidemics, trade losses due to wars, food price hikes, environmental damage and its impact on first world countries and third world countries today. And in this critical moment, its shadow can be seen in the current Bangladesh. As a result of the increase in the price of fuel oil in Bangladesh, people's lives have started to change.

It is not especially surprising that the price of all types of fuel oil has been increased in the country since the midnight of August 5 this year. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said that the price came into effect after 12 midnight on Friday. Prices have increased by Rs 34 per liter for diesel, Rs 34 for kerosene, Rs 46 for octane and Rs 44 for petrol. After the price hike, a customer has to buy diesel at Tk 114 per litre, kerosene at Tk 114, octane at Tk 135 and petrol at Tk 130 per litre. This change in public life seems to be distressing to many. According to analysts, this can have an impact on the entire population of the country.

Do we really know the story behind this sudden rise in fuel prices? If we don't know then let's not know. The reason for the sudden increase in the price of fuel is that, in the current global context, the price of fuel oil in the world market has become much higher than that of Bangladesh. In this context, prices of diesel, kerosene, octane and petrol refined and imported by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) have been adjusted. Rising oil prices in the world market is a global problem.

According to a joint survey by BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and Power and Participation Research Center (PPRC), 3 crore 24 lakh people have become impoverished in the country during Corona. Among them, 79 lakh people have become poor in the last six months due to the corona restrictions given since April this year.

In such an obvious situation, the rise in the price of fuel due to the increase in the price of the commodity has the potential to have a negative impact on the general life in almost every aspect, as well as the possibility of reducing the standard of living of the lower middle and lower class people.

Our government should adopt a long term plan to alleviate this suffering. As a result, it will be easier to find solutions to upcoming problems. The people of this country are the life of this country. The government will implement an effective long-term plan in a people-friendly process with the aim of providing health to that life, keeping in mind the suffering of the people, without increasing the price of oil, gas and electricity at a double rate, the people will take the best strategic decision. As a result, common people will get relief from suffering and will return to healthy life.

Md Toslim Bhuiyan Prantik: Student of Law Department at North South University