‘Extortion during transportation triggers price hike of essentials’

Prices of food grain, vegetables and daily essentials witness potential rise due to extortion during their transportation into the capital, said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday.

“We have received numerous allegations regarding this,” he said while responding to a question of reporters in a press briefing after visiting Karwan Bazar kitchen market.

The minister went to the market to monitor if traders were selling goods at government fixed rates.

Referring to traders, he said, “If extortion on roads instigate the price hike, please take my number and inform me about the spots; I would personally talk to the home minister over the matter.”

“Almighty God won’t forgive the dishonest traders. While the prices of essentials drop marking various festivals in other countries, we see price hikes here.”

Talking about the government’s failure to control the market, he said the ministry of Home Affairs can explain the issue. The government task forces have been operating drives to monitor the market, he added.

“We have come to the kitchen market to monitor as prices hiked frequently and we are not satisfied. Some instructions have been given. Although the wholesale markets have no problem, there is a big difference of prices between wholesale and retail markets,” Tipu said.

“There is instability in the rice market. Thick rice is sold at Tk 43-44 in the retail market which will rise further,” the minister said, adding that “But no one eats thick rice nowadays, even a rickshaw puller seeks fine rice. We want to increase monitoring in the retail market and a special task force will be working on it.”

Tipu said the price of a kilogram of aubergine is Tk 10 in Rangpur, but it is being sold at Tk 60 per kg in Dhaka.

“We want to expand monitoring while trucks enter the city in the early hours which may resolve the price issue.”

While talking about the recent price hike of meat, he said, “Meat prices are controlled by the city corporations. We will sit for dialogue with the city corporations in this regard.”