B Mirror Report: Amid ongoing pressure at filling stations, the government has moved to strengthen fuel management by appointing tag officers to oversee sales, monitor stock levels, and submit daily reports nationwide.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources announced the decision on Saturday following a virtual meeting chaired by Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

The initiative aims to enhance supervision of fuel distribution amid global uncertainties affecting supply.

Under the plan, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will appoint tag officers in major cities including Dhaka and Chattogram. In other areas, district and upazila administrations will assign one official to each petrol pump within their jurisdiction.

These officers will operate in line with guidelines set by the energy division and BPC. Authorities have also requested relevant agencies to complete appointments and report back to the division.

Earlier, government monitoring teams were deployed across districts to curb illegal stockpiling. In operations in areas such as Patenga, officials recovered about 6,000 litres of diesel.

Although initial rationing was introduced amid instability in the Middle East, it was later withdrawn. However, pressure at filling stations persists, with some pumps unable to meet demand, others closed, and some selling fuel in limited quantities.

Authorities have also stepped up public awareness campaigns on fuel and electricity conservation through QR codes, banners, school programmes, messages at places of worship, and leaflet distribution.

On Friday, 293 inspections and mobile court drives were conducted nationwide, resulting in 78 cases and fines totaling Tk 315,550.

Energy division magistrates continue daily mobile court operations in Dhaka, with further drives planned in the capital and surrounding areas.