DHAKA — Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has set limits on how much fuel filling stations across the country can collect from depots, in a bid to ease fears of a supply crisis following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that have roiled global energy markets.
BPC issued the directive in a news release Friday, March 6.
The directive said that although fuel is essential for the country’s development and progress, about 95 percent of the fuel used in Bangladesh is imported. Imports are sometimes being delayed or disrupted in the current global crisis, it said. Some consumers and dealers are stockpiling extra fuel after negative reports about stock levels spread in the news media and on social media, BPC said.
BPC said many dealers, citing extra demand, are trying to draw more fuel than usual from depots. Some consumers are also trying to buy and hoard more fuel than they need without authorization, and the authorities are aware of the practice, it said.
To address the situation, the agency set a maximum supply of 2 liters of octane or petrol per day for motorcycles and 10 liters for private cars. SUVs, jeeps and microbuses can be supplied 20 to 25 liters, pickups and local buses 70 to 80 liters, and long-haul buses, trucks and container trucks 200 to 220 liters of diesel.
The directive also said filling stations must give customers cash receipts that list the quantity and price each time fuel is sold, and that buyers must submit a copy of their previous purchase receipt before refueling. Dealers must also supply fuel according to set quotas and report depot stock and sales figures, it said.
BPC said regular imports were continuing to keep domestic supply normal and that shipments of fuel were arriving steadily. Fuel is also being sent regularly from the main installations to depots across the country by rail wagon tankers, it said, adding that an adequate buffer stock would be built up in a short time.
The agency also said selling fuel above the government-fixed price is a punishable offense. Action will be taken against those who charge more under the pretext of the crisis, it said. BPC has sought the cooperation of all concerned to keep fuel supplies normal in the country.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report