The government will take a hardline to dismantle the existing kitchen market syndicate in a bid to arrest the prices of essential commodities that continue to hurt the common people for the last couple of months.
“There has been an existence of the syndicate. Work is underway to dismantle the syndicate. The government has some information that some corporate giants are increasing the prices intentionally. The government may arrest those key figures under the Special Power Act,” Laboor and Employment Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan told reporters at a views exchange programme at Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.
Rising prices of vegetables are shrinking the kitchen budget of the ordinary people as vegetables continue to be costlier compared to that of the previous couple of weeks.
Consumers grouse that they have been hit hard as most of the items are being sold at over Tk 100 per kilogram in the kitchen market. Highlighting several factors behind the rising commodity prices, including supply-demand imbalances due to crop losses from floods and the influence of syndicates on other goods, he blamed the previous government for weakening the Consumer Rights Protection Act.
“Realising small fines by the Ministry of Commerce is insufficient to deter malpractice,” he said, calling for revising the law to reinstate its earlier capacity to impose jail sentences for violations.
He emphasised the need to arrest key syndicate members under the Special Powers Act and indicated that the government has records of certain corporations involved in manipulating prices.
The adviser also pointed out that direct sourcing from farmers by young entrepreneurs could reduce prices, and the government plans to encourage this model in the coming days.
Regarding the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), he mentioned that operations had slowed after previous TCB dealers, linked to the Awami League, were removed.
However, he assured that TCB's efforts to provide goods at reasonable prices would soon be strengthened to put pressure on syndicates.
Responding to a question, the adviser acknowledged that previous governments had allowed business interests to maintain syndicates through political connections.
On extortion in Karwan Bazar, he noted that while arrests had been made, replacements quickly filled the gaps.
Seeking cooperation from political parties to eradicate such practices, he said announced an all-out campaign against both extortion and price-hiking syndicates.
Meanwhile, the government has started selling 10 items at an affordable price under Open Market Sale (OMS) programme at different areas of the capital.
Under the programme, per kilogram potato is being sold at Tk 30, per dozen of egg Tk 130, per kilogram of onion Tk 70 and green vegetables are being sold under different packages.
People may buy the items from Khadya (food) Bhaban, Manik Mia Avenue, Mirpur-10, Basabo, Basila, Rayer Bazar, Rajarbagh, Mugda-North, Mugda-South, Palashi Mor, Hazaribagh, Mohammadpur, Gabtali , Mohakhali Bus Stand, Begunbari, Uttarkhan, Dakshin Khan, Kamrangirchar, Rampura and Zigatola.
Adviser for the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday formally inaugurated the programme at Directorate General of Food Office on Abdul Ghani Road in the city.
Adviser for the Agriculture and Home ministries Lt Gen (Rtd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury attended the function as the special guest.
Seeking cooperation from all to make the programme a success, Salehuddin said the government is making efforts to make available all products for the consumers at affordable prices.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the government has taken the initiative with cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food so that they can provide egg, potato, onion, vegetable to the people at affordable prices.
Initially, the government has started selling the products at 20 places of the capital through trucks.
UNB adds: The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on Tuesday called for urgent action to tackle the alarming rise in the prices of daily essentials, blaming dishonest and profit-mongering traders for market manipulation.
It presented a nine-point demand for controlling the abnormal price hike from a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
CAB leaders expressed concern over the escalating prices of basic necessities, which are causing severe hardship for consumers.
CAB demands independent commission to probe graft in energy and power sector
Speakers at the human chain said the soaring prices of essential items have become a significant burden for the general public.
They pointed out that most vegetables in Dhaka’s retail markets are being sold for over Tk 100 per kilogram, while green chilli, which recently reached a record-high price of Tk 600 per kg, is now being sold at Tk 400 per kg.
Besides, eggs are being sold at Tk 170-180 per dozen, up from Tk 150-160 just two months ago.
Despite this crisis, the government has yet to take effective action to relieve consumers from the burden of soaring prices, the speakers lamented.
Among those addressing the human chain were Ruhin Hossain Prince, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Mohiuddin Ahmed, Convener of Nagrik Somaj, and CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan.
UNB adds: The protesters accuse the commission of failing to control market syndicates, which has led to soaring prices and raised concerns about the government's credibility.
Students from the Anti-Discrimination Movement have launched protests against the rising market prices in Bangladesh, demanding the resignation of three members of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, including acting chairman Salma Akhtar.
On Monday, students from the University of Dhaka and several private universities gathered at the commission's Eskaton office, but authorities had locked the gates in anticipation of their protest. Today, they held another rally at Burak Tower in the capital, expressing dissatisfaction with previous discussions on price control.
The protesters accuse the commission of failing to control market syndicates, which has led to soaring prices and raised concerns about the government's credibility. Farhan Dinar, a student representative, expressed frustration over the lack of engagement from the commission, saying they would continue their protests until a resolution is reached.
As the protests escalated, Farida Yasmin, the adviser on fisheries and livestock, summoned seven student representatives to the ministry for further discussions. The outcome of the meeting is yet to be announced.
