Diesel price hike: Only the public's burden?

Diesel price was increased by Tk 15 per liter, in response to which transport owners observed three days of nationwide strike resulting in substantial economic loss and severe public suffering, and ultimately the solution was to put the burden on the public -- by raising public transport fare.

But has the interest of the public played any role in the negotiation? Did the government consider the consequences, especially when the economy is yet to fully recover from the pandemic, 3.24 crore new poor in the country, and many of the daily necessities already becoming too expensive for the majority?

In Straight from Star Newsroom, Debjani Shyama discusses these issues with The Daily Star's senior reporter Mohammad Al-Masum Molla.