Dhaka, Apr 02 (V7N) — During a heated Question and Answer session in the 13th National Parliament on Thursday, Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud (Tuku) assured the nation that the government has secured alternative fuel sources to prevent a total depletion of national reserves. Addressing concerns over the visible crisis at petrol pumps, the Minister reiterated that "panic buying" and "illegal hoarding" are the primary drivers of the current supply strain, rather than an actual shortage.

The session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, saw intense questioning from opposition members regarding the closure of filling stations in districts like Sylhet and Cumilla.

Fuel Supply and Alternative Sourcing

Minister Mahmud provided a detailed update on the country's energy security strategy:

  • Strategic Imports: He confirmed that agreements are in place for 50,000 metric tons of octane to be imported this month, with an additional 30,000 metric tons being sourced locally.

  • Buffer Stock: As of late March, diesel stocks stood at approximately 218,000 metric tons, an increase from the levels recorded when the current administration took office in February.

  • Alternative Channels: The Minister emphasized that shipments from "alternative sources"—likely referring to diversified imports currently being negotiated outside traditional Middle Eastern routes—are scheduled to arrive before existing stocks run out.

Power Management During Irrigation Season

With the Boro irrigation season peaking in April, the Ministry is prioritizing the agricultural sector to protect food security:

  • Demand Spike: National electricity demand is expected to surge to 18,500 MW this month, with irrigation alone consuming roughly 5,000 MW.

  • Conservation Measures: To ensure farmers receive uninterrupted power, the government will implement measures to reduce "excessive" electricity use in non-essential sectors. This includes the earlier announced 8:00 PM closure for shops and malls and potential restrictions on evening peak-hour usage for CNG stations.

  • Shifting Loads: Farmers are being encouraged to shift irrigation activities to off-peak hours (midnight to dawn) to ease pressure on the national grid.

Parliamentary Action on Interim Ordinances

A significant legislative milestone was also reached today as the Parliamentary Special Committee, chaired by Zainul Abedin, was scheduled to present its report on the 133 ordinances issued during the interim government's tenure.

  • Indemnity for Uprising Participants: The committee has already reached a consensus on the "July Mass Uprising (Protection and Determination of Liability) Ordinance-2026," which provides legal indemnity to those who participated in the 2025 movement.

  • Review Process: While the majority of the 133 ordinances have been approved by the committee, roughly 20 issues—including those related to constitutional shifts—were identified for further clarification before being formalized as acts of parliament.

The Minister concluded his remarks by urging citizens to avoid "abnormal" fuel purchases, warning that the government will continue to take strict legal action against hoarders who are creating "artificial market pressure" during this period of global geopolitical volatility.

END/SMA/AJ