Why are you not protesting fuel price hikes now? Adviser Zahed explains
Prime Minister’s Information Affairs Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman. File photo
Prime Minister’s Information Affairs Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has explained why he is not protesting the increase in fuel prices now despite protesting fuel price hikes during the Awami League government.
In his explanation, he said the Awami League government had no legitimacy. But the current BNP government is a government elected by the people’s votes.
Zahed said this at a weekly press conference on the progress of the government’s work at the Department of Information at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The government has decided to increase the prices of all types of fuel in the country’s market by Tk 20 per liter. Various political parties have been protesting the decision saying it will increase the cost of living.
Asked about this by a journalist, Zahed Ur Rahman said, “If I were an activist instead of being in the government, I would protest against it. During Hasina’s time, I would not only protest but also demand Hasina’s resignation. It would not be appropriate to demand that now.”
Explaining why it would not be appropriate, he said, “Because we did not own that government. That government had no legitimacy. But this government was elected by the people’s votes. This is our government.”
The Prime Minister’s adviser said there was room to criticize the fuel price increase. However, the government had no alternative to reduce the pressure of subsidies. He also presented calculations of subsidies in various sectors to journalists.
Zahed Ur Rahman rejected claims that fuel prices were increased under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He said, “There is actually no such condition. The basic rule of the IMF is that they do not want the government to provide subsidies. You will see that we do not always follow this rule.”
Highlighting the government’s budget allocations for various public welfare programs including the Family Card, he said, “We are doing this for the welfare of our people. It has nothing to do with the IMF’s advice.”
