As the 'onion' crisis in the country is waning, attempts are being staged to create an artificial crisis of salt in the country. On the pleas of short supply of salt in the markets, some dishonest traders have already pocketed millions of Taka by deceiving the consumers in various places of Habiganj district. Being panicked by news of shortage of salt in the markets, consumers at places of Habiganj were seen to throng at the grocers shop to purchase salt even at Taka 120 per kiolgramme on Monday night and on Tuesday morning, sources informed.
It is learnt, to resist the artificial crisis of salt, mobile courts headed by Executive Magistrates were seen to visit various markets of the town. They conducted their drive till 1-30 pm on Tuesday.
Shahina Akhter, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Lakhai, informed that mobile courts conducted drives in all markets of the district and realised Taka 8,000 as fine from some traders and the salt-customers of were returned the excessive price they paid to purchase the salt.
Touhid Bin Hasan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Nabiganj informed, there was reports of selling salt at Taka 120 per kilogramme. The upazila administration has started drive against the dishonest traders and hoards of salt.
Nusrat Fahima Shahsi, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Chunaghat informed, upazila administration was alert to tackle any attempt to create artificial shortage of salt. Chunarughat police has recovered 500 kilogrammes of salt during hoarding but failed to arrest the hoarders because they managed to escape.
Sumi Akhter, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Shayesthaganj informed, mobile team conducted operations at Sutang and Driver Bazaar but failed to arrest any one in connection of creating artificial shortage of salt.
Shamsul Alam, a trader at Shyamoli area of Habiganj said, he had some 700 kilogrammes of salt at his shop. Till 11-00 pm last night, the retailed customers purchased the salt at the fair price.
It is learnt, on Monday evening, a rumour of crisis of salt generated among dwellers of Habiganj and hundreds of people thronged at grocrers shops to procure salt. However, district and upazila administration officials took prompt action to contain such rumour.
