Dhaka, June 1, 2026 — State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit has said that the government was compelled to increase fuel prices due to prevailing international market conditions, particularly the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters at his office in the Secretariat on Monday, the state minister said the government resorted to the fuel price adjustment only after exhausting other options.
“You know that fuel prices are adjusted every month. No adjustment was made in May because a revision had already taken place in April,” he said in response to questions regarding the latest fuel price hike announced on Sunday night.
The minister noted that the government had repeatedly stated that such unpopular decisions would be taken only when absolutely necessary.
“The current situation has emerged due to the Middle East crisis. We have tried our best to avoid burdening consumers, but the reality of the international market has left us with limited options,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to protect consumers, Amit pointed out that diesel, which accounts for around 66 percent of the country’s total fuel consumption, remains heavily subsidized and its price has been left unchanged despite rising global costs.
“The government bears the highest subsidy burden on diesel. Yet we have kept its price untouched so that ordinary people are not adversely affected,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that certain price adjustments had become unavoidable due to mounting pressure from international energy markets.
Responding to concerns about consecutive fuel price increases and public anxiety ahead of the national budget, the minister ruled out any planned series of price hikes and expressed optimism that the global situation would improve.
“We are hopeful that the Middle East crisis will be resolved soon. If global fuel prices decline sharply, we will also move quickly to adjust domestic prices accordingly,” he said.
Addressing public concerns that fuel prices often rise faster than they fall, Amit assured that the government would act responsibly if international prices decrease.
“I can say with confidence that if this crisis is resolved and global fuel prices come down, the government will take prompt steps to reduce prices at home. As an elected government, we are accountable to the people and committed to easing their hardships,” he added.
The government on Sunday increased the prices of octane, petrol and kerosene by Tk5 per liter for June, while keeping diesel prices unchanged.
