Passenger Welfare Association demands withdrawal of fuel price hike

The Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB) has demanded the withdrawal of the latest fuel price hike, arguing that the increase will further burden consumers amid rising living costs.

In a statement issued to the media on Sunday morning (September 20), the organisation’s Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said the government should reconsider the decision and restore the previous prices.

The government raised the retail prices of diesel, octane, petrol and kerosene by Tk 20 per litre, with the new rates taking effect from Monday.

According to the new price hike notification, diesel now costs Tk 135 per litre, while octane, petrol and kerosene are priced at Tk 165, Tk 160 and Tk 155 respectively.

The association said higher fuel prices would increase transport and communication costs, passenger and freight fares, and industrial production expenses, adding to pressure on ordinary consumers.

Chowdhury said the government should stand by people during the current economic difficulties and, if necessary, provide subsidies to keep the fuel sector functioning and contain inflation.

He urged the government to withdraw the latest increase and reinstate the previous fuel prices.