The interim government has reduced the duty on different goods to reduce their prices. But, the prices of those goods did not decrease. Why can not we control the syndicate? Is the syndicate so powerful that there is none to control them?”
People raised questions whether market syndicate is more powerful than the authorities. We are very disappointed and frustrated with the current price level of essential commodities.
However, the authorities concerned cannot evade responsibility by blaming the syndicate for high prices. We are also concerned about the syndicate as an unholy nexus of dishonest hoarders, traders, retailers and a few companies have been making hefty profits by selling essentials at higher prices under the very nose of the authorities concerned . Common people of the country feel it intolerable for them. The impact of the floods is reducing and the winter is approaching. We had expected that the situation would improve to a great extent. It was a syndicate involved in importing commodities during the previous government. The authorities must do everything possible to deal with the issues of essential commodities and take steps to cool down the market.
Although the government has outlined a series of measures aimed at controlling the prices of daily essentials to ensure affordability for consumers, it is unfortunate that despite all the hardships of businesses, the image of the entire business community is being dented due to the dishonesty of a couple of businessmen. Apart from the government, country’s apex trade body Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and stakeholders must call upon the traders to keep the supply of essential items normal and prices under control immediately. The businessmen are the ‘Lifeline’ of the country.
People do not want to hear anything like businessmen are engaged in any syndicate. The businessmen should do business with honesty. The mill owners, wholesalers, and retailers must not create the unstable situation. It is now high time to frame the policies by the businessmen, not by the bureaucrats. It is unnecessary to give people pain after increasing the prices of essentials when they are passing through a critical juncture.
We are very
disappointed and
frustrated with the
current price
level of essential commodities
Measures and coordinated efforts must be taken by the government and businessmen as early as possible to keep the prices of essential commodities stable.
People fume as essentials price hike continued to burning a hole in their pockets. We have noticed that price hike in essentials has become a regular phenomenon despite the government’s steps. It is very unfortunate to all of us that when we see the prices of various commodities like chicken varieties, beef and mutton, fish, brinjal, garlic, onion and zinger become costly without any obvious reason. Besides, prices of most of the important items consumed throughout the year, such as green chilli, cucumber, edible oil, eggs, fish, potatoes, lentils, chick pea and vegetables also rise sharply. An organised syndicate comprising a section of unscrupulous traders and hoarders has already raised commodity prices in violation of ministry directives issued to keep prices.
Soaring prices of essentials cause a great deal of hardship to low-income people. We have also noticed that a blame game between the wholesalers and retailers surfaces all the time. The authorities concerned and business bodies should keep a strict vigil to prevent profiteering by the dishonest traders and take immediate action against those who will violate the norms. In this regard, mobile courts can be run by judicial or metropolitan magistrates across the country everyday in order to foil any plot to increase the prices of essentials. These courts may prove to be an effective tool in curbing the rising wave of essentials’ price. The authorities concerned must prevent those who take advantage of the situation and ensure free flow of vehicles supplying essential commodities. As the market syndicate is responsible for such unethical and immoral activities, their identities should be disclosed and they should be brought to book. We hope that these dishonest traders engaged in hoarding essential commodities with a view to making huge profit and thus contribute to increase prices, will be punished this time.
