They urge govt to stop extortion, ensure uninterrupted supply
There is no reason of price hike of the essential commodities in the upcoming Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims, as the country sits on surplus stock of the items, traders said on Tuesday.
At an exchange of views with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry on the present situation of import, supply, stock and market prices of essential commodities at the Federation Bhaban, the traders said that the prices of most of the commodities remained stable for the last few months and this trend would continue during Ramadan.
To keep the prices reasonable, the traders urged the government to ensure uninterrupted supply chain and highways free from extortion.
Bangladesh Paikary Vojjyo Tal Baboshayee Samiti president Md Golam Mawla said during Ramadan this year the consumers would get edible oil at very low prices as its price on the international market decreased.
Md Golam Mawla, also the secretary of Moulvi Bazar Baboshayee Samiti, said if the supply remained uninterrupted, the commodity prices would not increase.
Sirajul Islam, general secretary of Dhaka Mahanagar Fol Amdani-Roptani Karok Samiti, said every year during Ramadan a panicky situation gripped the commodity market and some government agencies like the BSTI and Department of Environment propelled up the panic more.
‘Usually, the DoE starts move against use of polythene shopping bags every year during Ramadan and impose fine on small traders; but it does not go to the factories where the item is being produced,’ he alleged.
Sirajul demanded for end to harassment of traders in the name of mobile court during Ramadan.
He said that they had a satisfactory stock of dates and its price would remain stable at Tk 70-Tk 80 a kg during Ramadan.
Badamtoli & Babubazar Chaul Arrotdar Samiti secretary Md Nizam Uddin said that the prices of rice remain stable and it would not increase in Ramadan.
Commerce secretary Mahbub Ahmed assured that the law enforcement agencies would take proper action to resist extortionists and to ensure a smooth supply chain.
He asked the traders to hang the price chart on their respective shops and to sell the commodities with fare prices.
The commerce secretary urged the consumers for not to be scared by any propaganda and not to buy excess products in fear of shortage.
‘There is no scope of creating a panicky situation on the market and consumers need not to be panicked as there is no shortage of the commodities,’ Mahbub said.
He urged the traders to adjust the commodity prices considering with the international market price which is recently showing a downward trend.
FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed suggested the businesses especially in Ramadan to operate their business for wellbeing of the common people.
Tariff Commission member Abdul Kayum, FBCCI vice-president Helal Uddin and Meghna Group director Tanvir Mostafa, among others, spoke on the occasion.
-With New Age input
