Staff Correspondent

BNP Acting Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said deliberate attempts are being made to divert public attention from various measures taken by the current government in the public interest by spreading various types of propaganda and creating instability.

He said the government is working to advance the country’s production and development process through various programmes, including social protection, Family Card, Farmer Card and initiatives such as canal excavation. At the same time, work is underway to achieve self-sufficiency in food, place emphasis on tackling the global climate crisis and implement the initiative to plant 250 million trees announced in BNP’s election manifesto, he added. 

Rizvi made the remarks at a briefing after a joint meeting of the party at BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan this afternoon. 

Earlier, Rizvi chaired the meeting while senior leaders of BNP and its Dhaka North and South city units, as well as the central presidents, conveners, general secretaries, member secretaries of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal were participated in it. 

Regarding the energy crisis, the BNP Acting Secretary General said, those who are speaking on various issues should explain how they would resolve the energy, gas and electricity crises. As the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran in the Middle East progresses, the situation is deteriorating further. 

Tankers carrying fuel oil come through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the government is being blamed under these circumstances. Yet, the price of fuel oil has been increased by Tk 20, he said, adding that previously, the government had been incurring a loss of around Tk 3,813 crore every month. Total fuel oil consumption in the country is 7 million metric tonnes, of which diesel accounts for around 4.5 million tones, he added. 

He said the price of diesel in Bangladesh was Tk 115, while in India it was slightly more than Tk 134. Bangladesh has to purchase diesel at Tk 250 per litre and as it was previously sold at Tk 115 per litre, the government had to incur a loss of around Tk 90 per litre. Even after the recent Tk 20 price adjustment, the loss will remain at Tk 70 per litre, Rizvi said.  

He said even after the price adjustment, fuel prices in Bangladesh remain much lower than in other countries, adding, “In Japan, the price of fuel oil is 1.07 dollar per litre, while it was 0.300 dollar in Bangladesh previously. Therefore, the relevant authorities should explain what alternatives there could be to supplying fuel at a lower price.”

Rizvi said the government is making continuous efforts to overcome the situation. “Efforts are being made to import gas and fuel from various countries and ensure their supply to the national grid. As a result, it has gradually become possible to overcome much of the situation concerning electricity and gas supplies,” he added. 

The senior BNP leader alleged that attempts are being made to mislead the people through various propaganda and false information by ridiculing these government initiatives, sincerity and measures taken in the public interest. However, he said, the people make decisions after judging and analyzing everything.

He said the party and all its affiliated and associate organizations, as well as various professional organizations, would launch programmes against propaganda and attempts to tarnish the government’s image. Various programmes would also be taken against the unstable environment being created in the country through planned acts of violence, he said. 

Rizvi also alleged that agents of fascist and undemocratic forces within the administration are attempting to create disorder in various ways. “The government would identify them and take action. The government has already taken a number of measures, and these efforts will continue,” he said. 

Regarding the 35-member delegation led by the Prime Minister to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, BNP Acting Secretary General said, it was the smallest delegation in the country’s history. This reflected efforts to sustain and further strengthen the economy.

“In the past, when the head of the fascist government travelled abroad, receptions and welcoming ceremonies were arranged at a cost of crores of taka. This time, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed that no such reception be arranged, as the expenses for such events were borne by public funds,” he added. 

Rizvi said such measures prove that Tarique Rahman attaches importance to the interests of the country and its people.