The government would distribute sugar, edible oil, lentils, onions and gram at affordable prices to one crore people across the country through TCB. This will benefit about five crore people of the country.
The country has more stocks of essential commodities than required, there is no shortage of commodities. No dishonest trader will be allowed to manipulate the market.
The administration has been instructed across the country regarding the issue. Strict action will be taken against those involved in trying to increase prices by artificially creating a crisis in the product or if the product is stocked illegally.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi made the remarks while addressing a meeting as the chief guest at the conference room of the ministry on the occasion of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan on Tuesday.
The Commerce Minister said, “Strict action will be taken against those who sell any product above the stipulated price. The National Directorate of Consumer Protection under the Ministry of Commerce and the text administration have intensified market monitoring. The government has taken all possible steps to ensure a reasonable price. Everything will be done to protect the interests of producers and consumers. All measures have been taken to keep the stock, supply and price of essential commodities normal. All concerned should play a responsible role for this.”
“Ensuring that imported products are sold on a reasonable basis in line with the international market. The government is in a tough position in this regard. All concerned including consumers should be careful about this. We have to fulfill our responsibility to make the people aware through the propaganda of the country,” added the minister.
The meeting was presided over by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh while Chairperson of the Bangladesh Competition Commission Md. Mofizul Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (Secretary) Md. Afzal Hossain, a member of the National Board of Revenue Md. Masud Sadiq, FBCCI President Jasim Uddin, TCB Chairman Brig. Gen. Md. Ariful Hasan, Additional Secretaries among others were present.
