Commerce Minister TipuMunshi on Thursday expressed his firm pledge and said the government will take action against the syndicate as the group is now creating monopoly in context of commodity price hike across the country.
"We will take tough position against the syndicate as certain groups are unilaterally controlling the commodity price which is adversely affecting the lower income people," said the minister while explaining the government's position in case of endorsement of a bill titled "Trade Organization (Amendment) Bill, 2023" at the JatiyaSangsad.
Explaining government's recent initiatives on checking the commodity price, the commerce minister said the ministry has fixed the price of eggs, potatoes and onion, adding that if the price is not followed then the government will import to check the price of those items.
But it is difficult to contain the price of the agricultural commodities, he told the parliament with Deputy Speaker ShamsulHuq Tuku in the chair.
Criticizing the role of the government in checking the commodity price, some opposition lawmakers, however, said "The commerce minister himself has admitted the existence of the 'syndicates' in case of rising the commodity price in the country and it is impossible for him to take action against them."
On the price hike of beef, opposition lawmaker Hafizuddin Ahmed of Thakurgaon-3 said "the price of per kilogram beef sold is Taka 250 in India while it is now being sold over Taka 800 in the country. He then asked the minister what is the reason behind it.
At least 3 (three) syndicates remain behind the beef price hike, said another opposition lawmaker PirFazlur Rahman of Sunamganj-4 while explaining on the merit and demerit of the proposed bill.