Fuel lifting resumes at Khulna depots amid supply boost

Fuel traders on Sunday resumed lifting oil from the three central fuel depots in Khulna from noon after the government assured withdrawal of the rationing system and increased supply compared to previous days.

The decision came following a mobile phone conversation between State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit and fuel traders’ leader Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul.

After the discussion, traders started collecting fuel from the depots of Padma Oil Company Limited, Meghna Petroleum Limited and Jamuna Oil Company Limited around 12pm.

According to the outcome of the talks, the state minister assured that the decision taken by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation to sell fuel under a rationing system would be withdrawn.

Following the assurance, fuel traders suspended their ongoing programme of halting fuel lifting from the depots.

Fuel traders’ leader Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul confirmed the matter to journalists this afternoon.

Earlier on Saturday morning, fuel traders voluntarily stopped lifting and marketing fuel in 10 districts of Khulna division and five districts of greater Faridpur after failing to secure supply according to demand.

Throughout Saturday, protesting traders did not allow any tanker lorry to enter the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna depots.

Meanwhile, the army was deployed at the three depots from Saturday evening to maintain order and keep depot activities normal.

General Secretary of the Khulna Divisional Tank Lorry Owners Association Sultan Mahmud Pintu said traders decided to resume fuel lifting from Sunday morning in response to the assurance from the authorities and the decision was immediately communicated to all concerned traders.

Senior Vice-President of the Khulna Divisional Fuel Distributors Association Sheikh Murad Hossain said fuel supply from the depots has been increased compared to previous days and authorities also assured supply according to demand.

“Considering these commitments, the programme has been withdrawn from Sunday noon,” he added.