On-time supply of imported essentials to market mandatory

A set of recommendations by the home ministry asks for making it mandatory for traders to supply imported essential commodities to the market on time from their stocks to thwart market volatility.

Officials say conducting regular monitoring of corporate businesses, hoarders and middlemen are also among the suggested dos to prevent artificial prices hike.

"If arise such activities or wrongdoing by them, the agencies concerned have to take exemplary legal action against them," the ministry says, as a buying binge is now round the corner.

The ministry has already sent intelligence report to the ministries concerned, including commerce ministry, for next course of action on the tips during the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan.

In the report, it has explained the demand, import volume, stock of key essential items, including gram and dates which are in high demand generally during the holy month.

The ministry has also suggested surveillance on different levels, including faria, wholesaler, warehouses and retailers.

Furthermore, it has mentioned as set of suggestions like opening letter of credit (LC) for food-grains on a priority basis to ensure import and supply of such essential goods on the market.

The ministry has also suggested taking steps to scrap several business groups' syndication in the import of key essential items. It has emphasised ensuring healthy practice in such products import by including more traders concerned.

It has rung the alarm bell against evil circles so that they cannot tarnish image of the government by spreading propaganda.

It also opines for a review the duty structures on edible oils, sugar, dates and several foreign fruits as per importance.

Also suggested is making necessary efforts to ensure adequate stock and import of essential goods as per the domestic demand.

The commerce ministry has already asked its market-monitoring agencies to intensify vigilance so that none can raise commodity prices in the name of short supply.

Last week, it intensified its market monitoring of essential commodities ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan starts in Bangladesh on March 02, 2025.

The commerce ministry has also asked all concerned to take appropriate steps so that price hike can be averted in the holy month.

Prices of rice, pulses, sugar, garlic, edible oils and spices are higher on the market. But vegetable prices are now at affordable level of consumers.

When contacted, a senior official of the commerce ministry said¸ "The market- monitoring teams have been reinforced. We've asked them to be more careful about their duties throughout the year, especially during Ramadan.

"We've have taken required move to ensure sufficient stock of essential items to fulfill the demand during Ramadan. There is no shortage of essential items in the country now."

He assures that the commerce ministry has taken all kinds of steps necessary to bring the essentials' supply and prices at tolerable stage during the Ramadan and also throughout the year.

Newly appointed commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Put emphasis on properly implementing the programmes undertaken by the government to keep the consumers at ease and comfort during the ensuing Ramadan.

He told the FE correspondent that his first official exchange of views with the officials of the ministry and the chiefs of the various departments and agencies under the Ministry of Commerce was held at his secretariat office on Wednesday.

The state-owned TCB is now largely selling essentials at subsidized rates ahead of the month of fasting across the country.

An expert suggests the commerce ministry should remain alert against manipulators as well as racketeers so that consumers are not disturbed due to supply shortage and artificial price hike.

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