The government has increased fuel oil prices finding no other alternatives, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Saturday (August 6).

The State Minister said the government has taken such a decision in the wake of price hike of fuel oils in global market.

"However, there is nothing to be worried. Oil prices in Bangladesh will also be lowered if the prices in global market go down," he said.

Terming the government as "people-friendly," he said the Awami League government has always been concerned about the convenience and comfort of common people. The government has never thought of raising the fuel oil prices as long as it has been possible for it.

The State Minister said the government had lowered the fuel oil prices in April 2016. "Lowering the prices of fuel oils will be reconsidered once the situation in global oil market becomes normal."

Meanwhile, transport owners have demanded of the government to coordinate the bus fares with the fuel oil prices. They will hold talks with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) over the issue at about 5:00pm on Saturday.

Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Malik Samity secretary general Khondker Enayet Ullah said the government has raised the fuel oil prices by 50 per cent on an average from Friday midnight. It has raised the operating costs of buses and minibuses. So, it is necessary to coordinate the bus fares.

It may be mentioned that the government on Friday raised the prices of diesel and kerosene to Tk 114 per litre and that of petrol to Tk 135, which is nearly 52 per cent higher than that of the current rates.

As the fuel prices shot up, the owners of a number of petrol pumps also refrained from selling fuel. "We have also decided to suspend operating of buses in the port city."

Last year, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosine at the retail level by Tk 65 and Tk 80 a litre, respectively.