"Some 30 to 40 per cent petrol pumps in the city would not be able to supply fuel oils, particularly diesel, after Saturday noon as those will run out of stock," Mohammad Nazmul Haque, president of Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners' Association, told BDNEWS yesterday.

He said many pumps in Sylhet and Rajshahi and other parts in the country have already suspended fuel supply due to shortage.

According to Haque, many pumps could not receive supply Thursday due to a heavy rush. "Now there is no supply on Friday and Saturday. In addition to that, supply will also remain off on Monday [being May 1]," he said, adding all these will create a serious fuel crisis.

He said there could be two reasons for the government move to reduce supply -- stock shortage and re-fixation of fuel prices.

Haque said on the basis of the country's total demand, 8,000 metric tons of diesel was supplied until April 23, which came down to 5,000 MT on Thursday, causing a serious crisis for the pump owners who do not have large stock capacity.

He said the association did not know anything about the government's move to stop supply of fuel oils today and the cutting short the supply.

UNB adds: Farmers and local people are in great distress for want of fuel oils in Rajshahi as depots remained closed for a couple of days reportedly for supply shortage.

Local dealers said they have failed to supply fuel oils to the farmers as much as they need because they are not getting diesel, petrol and octane from Baghabari and Kazirhat in Sirajganj district.

When contacted, officials concerned told the news agency that oil-laden ships from Narayanganj and Chittagong did not reach the Baghabari port.

"The Irri-boro farming in the northern districts faces a setback due to the diesel crisis," said farmers.

Local petrol-pump owners raised oil prices by Tk 10 to 20 a litre to cash in on the scarcity, they alleged.