The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The BNP-led four-party alliance yesterday denounced the raised fuel prices, saying that the decision by the caretaker administration will severely hurt the economy.

In a joint statement signed by the BNP's acting office secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, the alliance said the decision was "unjust" and "anti-people".

"…we from the four-party alliance condemn the decision," it said. "We strongly demand the government scrap the decision immediately," the statement said.

The statement was issued on behalf of BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Khelafat Majlish chief Muhammad Ishaq, Bangladesh Jatiya Party chairman barrister Andalib Rahman Partho and IOJ secretary general Abdul Latif Nezami.

The government on Monday raised fuel prices by up to 67 percent on the ground of cutting revenue losses in the heavily subsidised sector.

Under the new rates, the price of a litre of octane has been raised 34 percent to Tk90 while diesel and kerosene prices were raised 37.5 percent to Tk55.

Liquefied petroleum gas --- mostly used for cooking--- saw the largest hike of 66.67 percent, with a cylinder now costing Tk1,000, instead of Tk600.

Referring to reactions by experts and economists, the political alliance said sufferings of the people would increase manifold because of the decision.

It said the industrial sector, especially the garment sector, would suffer immensely because of the hike in fuel prices.

"Many factories will collapse. It will fuel unemployment," it said.

On reports of possible increase in electricity price, the alliance also asked the government not to go for such a decision.