In accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Commerce to keep commodity prices manageable, a taskforce from Dhaka district conducted drives on the onion wholesale market in Shyam Bazaar on Saturday. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate Umar Faruq from the Dhaka District Administration.
Meanwhile, Abdul Jabbar Mondal, Assistant Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, also conducted a drive at the Mohammadpur Agricultural Market. A total of 75,000 Taka in fines was imposed during these operations.
The drives revealed several irregularities among onion traders, including a complete lack of paperless business operations. There was no use of purchase and sales receipts, and traders were found to be operating based solely on their own whims, often blaming one another without providing substantial explanations.
Importers dictate prices to traders through mobile calls, changing the prices two to three times a day, resulting in significant increases in onion prices. Traders frequently sell at prices higher than those set by importers, leading to uncontrolled profit margins.
The taskforce instructed all businesses to collect and provide purchase and sales receipts. Strict guidelines were issued for displaying price lists, with clear warnings that legal action would be taken for non-compliance.
In other words, no one would be allowed to conduct paperless business. Traders reported that importers provide a commission of 1 Taka per kilogram to the wholesalers.
Due to various irregularities, the following fines were imposed during the Shyam Bazaar operation: 30,000 Taka on Messrs Raj Trading, 20,000 Taka on Mitali Traders, and 5,000 Taka on Messrs Ali Traders. Additionally, Sharif Enterprise at Mohammadpur Agricultural Market was fined 20,000 Taka.
The Shyam Bazaar operation included Abdus Salam, Assistant Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Dhaka Division, as well as officials from the Livestock Department, the information officer, CAB representatives, and Anti-discrimination student movement activists.
