Abdullah Al Masum
Businesspeople on Sunday blamed hoarding, artificial shortage created by a business syndicate and lack of monitoring along with extortion on the highways for the price hike of essentials ahead of Ramadan.
Trade leaders came up with the remark at a DCCI webinar on ‘Law and Order Situation and Keeping Prices of Essentials Stable in Ramadan’ organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The traders said there are adequate stocks of every goods and commodities needed in Ramadan.
Md. Rizwan Rahman, President of Dhaka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the main reason of price hike is hoarding by a section unscrupulous businesspeople, lack of proper monitoring on the part of government and extortion in the goods supply chain.
Md. Golam Mawla, President of Bangladesh Edible Oil Wholesaler’s Association, requested the authorities concerned to keep monitoring on the highways and syndication of markets.
“Eight group of companies including City Group, Meghna Group, Bashundhara Group, TK Group, Deshbandhu Group manipulate market prices,” he added.
“When the price in wholesale market for the chickpeas is only Tk 53 that is sold above Tk 75 -80 in retail market,” he explained.
Enayet Ullah, President of Manirul Market Business Association, said a huge number of commodities are in stock and there is no logic behind the price hike ahead of Ramadan.
“I request the government to allow the markets to operate up to at least 5:00 pm on weekdays,” he added.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the price hikes as there is imbalance between supply and demand.
“The government has taken the steps to check extortion in commodity transportation process,” he said.
Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, said he wants to work with all business leaders to keep prices of essentials stable.
“For monitoring the markets, I have formed a committee with nine members. We have made preparations for conducting the mobile courts in Ramadan too,” he said hoping that he would present a beautiful Ramadan to the city dwellers.
aam/wi
