Take steps to stop increase of prices of essentials

The holy month of Ramadan will begin only after some days. This month teaches us how to be restrained. But it is being observed that unrestrained work or tendency to do such work is happening ahead of the month of abstinence and restraint.  It is seen that prices of daily commodities increase at the arrival of Ramadan. It has become a common affair to increase the prices of daily commodities in the markets during the month of Ramadan. Especially, the prices of some products like pulses, gram, sugar, onion, garlic, dates and edible oil can be high because of these products’ high demand. Generally, prices go up when supply of products decreases in the markets. In our country, there are enough products in the market, but prices are higher than normal times. The prices of the goods go out of the consumers’ purchasing capacity.

Businessmen increase price illogically, creating artificial crisis in the market. There is an allegation that a syndicate works behind it. There is a tendency in our country that businessmen increase price of essentials ahead of Ramadan. But there is no such thing anywhere in the world. In almost all Muslim countries, the prices of essential commodities are reduced during the Ramadan. There is no visible reason behind the price hike of products as there is huge stock of products and down price at international markets.

It is seen that syndicates increase prices. Besides, in this month of Ramadan, adulterated and poor quality goods are sold in the market. Ramadan is the month of restraint. But the businessmen become more dishonest in that time. After Ramadan, the holy Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated. So, to bring the situation under control, the government should enhance monitoring in the markets, run mobile courts on regular basis, and take stern steps against the businessmen and sellers if irregularities brought against them are proved to be true.

The government has asked the authorities to take actions against the unscrupulous businessmen. National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate will remain in the field to control the market. Special operations and strict legal actions will be taken against the dishonest businessmen.  There is also an instruction for conducting operations in Khatunganj, Chittagong, the biggest wholesale market of the country. The operation is already underway in different parts of the country.

Before the fasting month every year, the concerned authorities give such assurance, but it is the reality that its reflection is rarely seen. We expect the government will take effective measures in this regard. In order to keep prices under control, the government will take stern actions against the dishonest businessmen. By controlling strict market management, the regulation of prices of products should be kept within the purchasing power of the general public. To keep the market stable, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will continue open market sale (OMS) of the essential commodities across Bangladesh ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The government will put emphasis on the market control alongside increasing the supply of the products. On the other hand, the businessmen should give up dishonesty. The government and business people will have to come forward to protect consumers’ interests.



risingbd/DHAKA/May 4, 2018/Ali Nowsher/Mukul