India will supply 5,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh through the pipeline. This consignment is expected to enter Bangladesh through Parbatipur border on Tuesday. This supply is part of the agreement under which India will provide 1,80,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh through pipeline every year.
supply as per agreement
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Mohammad Rezanur Rahman said that the current consignment is part of this agreement. He said that as per the agreement, at least 90,000 tonnes of diesel should be imported to Bangladesh within six months.
Expected to import the entire quantity in two months
Rahman said that the consignment arriving today is of 5,000 tonnes and it is expected that within the next two months the entire diesel quantity fixed for six months will be imported into the country. This supply is happening at a time when concerns are being raised about illegal storage and market manipulation by traders in Bangladesh. Reports have revealed that some traders are creating artificial shortage by illegally storing fuel.
Government imposed limit on fuel supply
Taking cognizance of these reports, the Bangladesh Energy Ministry has set limits on fuel supply based on vehicle categories, so that the situation of artificial shortage can be dealt with. However, there have also been reports of fuel being sold in excess of these limits at some petrol pumps and earning profits by accumulating excess stock.
Mobile court action to stop illegal storage
In view of these problems, the Energy Ministry said that a mobile court campaign was launched to stop illegal storage and selling beyond the prescribed limit. During this time, an executive magistrate took action at various fuel stations in Dhaka. Investigation found that fuel was not available at the city filling station, while the clean fuel station was operating as per the rules.
