Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The government has asked local administrators; law enforcing agencies, including the inspector general of police (IGP); deputy commissioners (DCs); and superintendents of police (SPs) across the country to take necessary steps to prevent artificial price hikes, hoarding, syndication, and black market trade of key essential items during the ongoing fasting month, sources say.
It has also asked them to take measures by coordinating with the respective districts' special taskforces on essential commodities.
The commerce ministry recently issued the instructions so that the commodities remain affordable during Ramadan across the country.
It has already asked its market monitoring agencies to intensify their operations so that none can raise commodity prices on the pretext of short supply or other issues.
Ramadan in the country began on Sunday.
The ministry also asked all concerned to take appropriate steps so that price hikes could be averted in the holy month.
The prices of rice, pulses, sugar, garlic, edible oil, and spices are slightly high in the market. But vegetables are affordable.
When contacted, a senior commerce ministry official said, "The market monitoring teams have been reinforced. We have asked them to be more careful about their duties throughout the year, especially during Ramadan."
"We have taken necessary measures to ensure sufficient stocks of essential items to fulfil the Ramadan demand. There is no shortage of these commodities in the country now," he added.
He further said the ministry has taken all kinds of steps to ensure that the supply of essentials remains smooth and prices are affordable not only during Ramadan but also throughout the year.
At a recent view-exchange meeting with commerce ministry officials and the chiefs of various departments and agencies, newly appointed Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman emphasised properly implementing the programmes undertaken by the government to keep consumers at ease and comfortable during Ramadan.
The state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) started selling essentials at subsidised rates ahead of Ramadan across the country.
An expert suggested the commerce ministry remain alert for manipulators and racketeers so that consumers are not affected by supply shortages and artificial price hikes.
rezamumu@gmail.com