Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said there is no fuel shortage in the country and the current situation has been artificially created by some people involved in unethical business practices.

“There is no fuel crisis in the country. However, some people are creating this situation through unethical business activities,” he said while addressing a programme in Thakurgaon.

He made the remarks at a function organised by the district administration at Mirza Ruhul Amin Auditorium, where relief and development assistance were distributed.

Mirza Fakhrul alleged that profiteering and black-market trading of fuel are behind the perceived shortage, adding that such practices are harmful to the nation’s economy and must be stopped.

He also said that instructions have been given to take strict action against those involved in fuel-related irregularities.

Referring to farmers, he said agricultural producers continue to suffer losses, particularly in potato cultivation, as they are not getting fair prices and even failing to recover production costs.

Fuel price hike not to stoke inflation: Minister

The Minister said steps are being taken to support farmers, including issuing farmer cards and establishing agricultural zones and cold storage facilities to help preserve produce.

He added that new development plans are being implemented under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, expressing hope for economic strengthening in the coming days.

Later, the programme distributed assistance including tin sheets and cash support to families affected by storms and hailstorms, along with funding for various religious and social institutions.

The programme was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque, Additional Superintendent of Thakurgaon Police Mohammad Khoda Dad, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khazrul Alam, district BNP President Mirza Foysal Amin, Sadar Thana BNP President Abdul Hamid, Municipal BNP President Shariful Islam Sharif, among other leaders.