Chicken price manipulation: CAB demands punishment

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has demanded strict punishment of the unscrupulous businessmen who created a syndicate in the broiler chicken market and made a lot of money through price manipulation.

Otherwise, human chains would be formed and protests would be held across the country, its leaders said during a protest in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Thursday.

They also demanded punishment of those responsible for the manipulation of the prices of various essential commodities.

CAB Vice-President SM Nazer Hossain, who participated in the protest, said the dishonest traders have “stolen a lot of money” by forming the syndicate in the broiler chicken market and legal action should be taken against them.

“I have heard that the competition commission has filed cases against the corporate companies that formed the syndicate. But we are sceptical about the progress of the cases. I want the commission to clarify the matter,” he said.

He also said the names of those who formed the syndicate have reached the government. “Now the government can take appropriate action against them if it wants.”

CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said moderation should be practiced in the month of Ramadan but the syndicate did not do that.

“Rather, they dishonestly obtained thousands of crores of taka from consumers through price manipulation. On behalf of CAB, we demand that those who did this should be identified and subjected to punishment.”

Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of CPB, said the consumer rights protection directorate previously proved how much it costs to produce broiler chicken and its selling price in the market.

“We understand how much money has been swindled through this. It has been proved by government agencies.”

He said the syndicate which earlier manipulated sugar prices is now talking about anomalies in the broiler chicken market, which is a cover-up.

“I want to make it clear – do not hurt people during Ramadan. Take measures to keep daily commodities affordable.”

Mohiuddin Ahmed, convener of Bangladesh General Civil Society, said the consumer rights directorate, the commerce ministry, the competition commission, the tariff commission, the food ministry, and various intelligence agencies held many meetings a month before Ramadan.

“Traders promised during those meetings that they would not hike prices. But they did not keep their promise. A class of ultra-profit mongers and corporate syndicates dishonestly obtained thousands of crores of taka from people by manipulating prices.

“Even though the competition commission has filed cases against them, nobody has faced trials. To date, no trader or their accomplices have been arrested for creating chaos in the market,” he added.