'Govt evaluating fuel price hike impact'

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said that the government is evaluating the impact of the hike in fuel price on the livelihoods of common people, reports BSS.

“Necessary steps will be taken in consultation with the high-ups of the government based on the evaluation,” he said while talking to reporters at his secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesdat.

Replying to a volley of questions on the impact of fuel price hikes on the low-income group of people, he said that when there is a price hike in fuel, the price of essentials increases affecting the poor section of people.

“The government has been working to resolve the problems of the poor section of people and it will continue to do so. The government will take steps to give relief to the poor and low-income group of people,” he added.

Kamal said that the government is thinking about taking measures for the poor to protect them from possible inflation and the decision would be taken in this regard after discussion with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Talking about the dollar issue, the minister said that the dollar rate is now at an unstable state everywhere in the world and those who are engaged in war and who are provoking the war are also facing the same consequences.

“We are trying to keep the forex market stable and hopefully it will come to normalcy,” he added.

Replying to a query about the removal of treasury chiefs of six banks, Kamal said that there is a limit for keeping dollars at banks.

“If any bank violates the rules, it should get punishment,” he added.

On August 8, the Bangladesh Bank ordered the removal of treasury chiefs of six banks after finding evidence against them of making higher profits in trading dollars.

According to Bangladesh Bank sources, the banks include Dutch Bangla Bank, Brac Bank, City Bank, Prime Bank, Southeast Bank and multinational bank Standard Chartered Bank.