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The government of Bangladesh has hiked the fuel prices of the country on the 3rd day of new year. Petrol and octane prices by Tk 5 per litre setting new prices at   Tk 96 and  Tk 99. Besides,  diesel and kerosene prices were up for Tk 7 setting new prices at  Tk 68 for the both items.   The prices would be effective from Thursday midnight, it said in a media statement at night.  The opposition BNP on Dec 26 threatened country wide general strike a day after the fuel prices were further increased.  But the opposition's reaction could not be known immediately after the fresh increase in the fuel oil costs. 

A total of Tk 85,000 crore have been channeled out through the Bangladesh Share Market within the last 30 working days, sources said. The General Index was 8918 points on December 5, 2010 and it labelled down at 6312 point on January 20, 2011.  The amount siphoned off during the last six month specially was very preplanned sources added. Total market capital was Tk 3,68,000 Crore (Tk 3680 Billion) on December 5, 2010 which now collapsed to Tk 2,83,000 Crore (Tk 2830 Billion) on January 20, 2011. Total Capital reduces of Tk 85,000 Crore (850 Billion), which amount is channeled out by the Market Makers in the last one month, sources said. 

The capital market regulator has failed to play its due role in protecting interests of the retail investors and handle the stock market, says a former Bangladesh Bank governor. "It is the failure of the regulatory body [Securities and Exchange Commission] as it did not exercise its independent authority," former central bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed told a discussion in the city on Sunday. Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) organised the discussion on monetary policy management and Bangladesh Bank. "I do not understand why the finance minister keeps on saying that he made some mistakes. It is the duty of the regulator to maintain stability in the market. The SEC's approach is reactive rather than being proactive, and that is its main problem," he said. He also commented: "Before taking any decision, it should have analysed the whole situation and its impact, but it has changed its policy as a short-term remedy. A policy may favour one and hurt ano...