‘A blow to the soul’ – Jamaat angry over oil price hike

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over the decision to hike fuel prices. The party said, ‘Common people are struggling to meet their living expenses. In this situation, the hike in fuel prices will be seen as a ‘blow to the head’.’ The protest was made in a statement today (April 19) by the party’s Secretary General and former MP, Mia Golam Parwar.
He said, ‘In the recently announced new prices, diesel has been increased by Tk 15 per liter, kerosene by Tk 18, octane by Tk 20 and petrol by Tk 19. Such sector-based price hikes will have a negative impact on the overall economy of the country. This will bring new suffering to the lives of the common people.’ I express deep concern and protest against this anti-people decision of the government.’
Mian Golam Parwar said, ‘The hike in fuel prices will increase the cost of transportation, which will directly affect the daily necessities. The prices of all types of goods, including food items, will increase. The middle-class and low-income working people will be the most affected. Even if their income does not increase, expenses will increase manifold, making normal living increasingly difficult.’
He also said, ‘The production costs of industries and factories will increase, which will ultimately be reflected in the prices of goods. This may result in more severe inflation in the market. At the same time, the agricultural sector will also come under immense pressure. Due to the increase in the costs of irrigation, transportation and agricultural inputs, the production costs of farmers will increase, which is a threat to food security.’ In the statement, the Jamaat leader strongly demanded that the government immediately reconsider the decision to increase fuel prices and bring it down to a tolerable level.