Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam has said people should not panic over the ongoing crisis due to price hikes of fuel and essential commodities as it is only a temporary setback.
The minister assured that the government will be able to manage the current situation, which is a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, as it already managed the Covid-19 pandemic crisis successfully.
He was speaking at a dialogue titled “Impact on daily life due to increase in the price of essential commodities and fuel” organized by Urban Development Journalists Forum Bangladesh (UDJFB) at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday.
Minister Tazul Islam said: “There is turmoil across the world due to the Ukraine-Russia war. It is a global crisis so people were afraid of the downgrade of the world economy as Russia alone contribute 25% of power and energy in the global market. People in the Europe and US are also in a severe predicament. In spite of the situation, the people of Bangladesh should not panic as the government has the capability to manage such a crisis.”
He also said: “We faced the Covid-19 pandemic and now Taiwan-China tension has arisen again followed by the Russia-Ukraine war. So, it is difficult to predict what will happen in the future.”
Golam Rahman, president of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and former chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission Bangladesh said the crisis will not be severe if the government can take timely actions against money laundering, corruption, and abuse of funds in the energy sector.d
He said there is no difference between 2005-2006 and now due to loadshading, high inflation rate, and shortage of reserve.
Prof Rumana Haque of Dhaka University said the government should public the overall plan to manage the crisis.
Prof Riazul Haque of Dhaka University mentioned that the middle-income and poor groups of the society have been facing severe trouble due to price hikes.
Shohel Mamun, general secretary of the UDJFB, moderated the dialogue. Amitosh Paul, president of the forum delivered the welcome speech.
Among others Suzadur Rahman, director of the Padma Oil Company Limited, and senior journalist Arun Karmaker spoke at the dialogue program as well.
