BNP, some organisations spread confusions over fuel price: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the BNP and some other political parties and organisations are spreading confusion over the price of fuel.

“A vested quarter always spreads confusion across the country. TIB and CPD gave many statements when the World Bank went back from the Padma Bridge project. BNP also gave many statements. Now, the prices of fuel have been adjusted. The price of diesel in our country is Tk 114 while it is Tk 116 in Kolkata (India). And the price is lower here than in Kolkata. The BPC has to pay Tk 8 subsidy even after increasing the price,” he said.

The minister stated these while inaugurating a week-long photo and LED exhibition on the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, organized by the Press Information Department (PID) in front of its office at Secretariat in the capital, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain addressed the function as the special guest while PID Principal Information Officer Md Shahenur Mia was in the chair.

Hasan said, “Some people introduce themselves as intellectuals and I also consider them as intellectuals. But, on several occasions they talk like unwise persons and they often use their knowledge with particular purposes.”

They are creating confusions among the countrymen, he said, adding: “I hope that they will come out of the ill efforts of creating confusions among the people.”

The government will adjust the fuel price when the price falls in the global market gradually, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

At the beginning of his speech, the minister paid rich tribute to Bangabandhu and other martyrs of his family, saying the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the worst killing in the history. 

Bangabandhu was killed when he was leading the country towards prosperity by rebuilding a war-torn state, he added.

He said the GDP growth of the country was 9.54 percent when Bangabandhu was killed and Bangladesh has not been able to achieve that GDP. But, the country has been able to achieve more than 8 percent GDP under the dynamic leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he added.

The minister said, in fact, Bangabandhu was killed with the aim of killing the independence of Bangladesh. Even ill-attempts were made to make confederation with Pakistan, to change national anthem and national flag and to bring back Pakistani ideology in radio, television and all sectors, he said. 

Since then, he said, the nation wandered around one place for 20 years. Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina broke the deadlock through forming the government in 1996, he added.

Hasan said Bangladesh is now moving ahead indomitably under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the country is a proud state before the world.

Replying to a query over BNP’s declaration, the minister said, “I think that the BNP leaders can understand the actual situation and they make themselves ridiculous by talking about movement at different times including after the Eid, after the examinations or after the rainy season. Even BNP's activists do not respond to their calls.” 

Later, the minister visited the exhibition.