In a significant move to empower consumers, the Bangladesh government is set to introduce an emergency helpline, 333, enabling citizens to report overpriced products in local markets and supermarkets.
State Minister for Post, Telecom and ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, announced this initiative on Monday during a program at the ministry.
This helpline is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency in commodity pricing. Alongside the helpline, a user-friendly website
will be launched, offering real-time information on the prices of essential goods.
This digital platform, designed for ease of use, will allow consumers to check the standard prices of essential commodities with just one click.
Scheduled to be operational by January 31, the helpline will offer eight distinct services. Consumers can swiftly report any discrepancies in commodity pricing, and immediate actions will be taken to address these concerns, assures State Minister Palak.
The website will be regularly updated by the Agriculture Ministry, Commerce Ministry, and other relevant bodies to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.
In response to queries about directives from the national leadership, Palak referred to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's instruction for government officials to remain vigilant.
The Prime Minister has emphasized the need to keep commodity prices within affordable limits, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, highlighting the government's commitment to consumer welfare and market stability.
Besides, addressing the accurate data and information across five facets of any product--production, storage, marketing, distribution, and import--can help mitigate artificial crises and prevent price hikes.
The authorities concerned are looking forward to introducing a new helpline number adding an extra digit after 333. The new number will be used to exchange five facets. Information on commodity prices can be exchanged, while complaints can also be reported.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said this during a meeting on ‘Ensuring greater transparency in market rates and bringing innovative changes through digitization’ organized with the participation of market stakeholders at the Secretariat on Monday.
Referring to the instructions of the Prime Minister, Palak said that the price of goods should be within our purchasing capacity, in this regard whoever has the opportunity to contribute should do so to their highest level.
Palak said, “The Commerce Ministry has asked us for a call center. We want to provide real time information of production, stocking, marketing, marketing and import of products to the commerce ministry without having a separate call center.”
He said, “On the occasion of Ramadan, we will allocate a digit after 333. Where any citizen can call to know the government fixed price of everything including potatoes, chickpeas, onions, dates or vegetables. Any consumer can give product information, complaints and suggestions on that number.
Consumer complaints will be transferred to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and action will be taken.”
Palak emphasized the challenge of obtaining information on stock levels in private warehouses despite having access to government warehouse data.
In this regard the state minister said, “We will develop a website, titled ‘Food for Nation’. This platform would provide comprehensive details on the production and stock status of various products. The Prime Minister and Commerce Minister could easily access this information via their smartphones, enabling them to detect any potential manipulation by top traders.”
Besides, I will open the price of the product to the public on the website so that everyone can know. In this way, where the supply is low, the supply will be increased to normal in the next hour. Then the market price will go down, those who hoard will lose.
