'Due to supply shortage, prices of daily necessities are unbridled. Efforts are underway to control prices of daily necessities by increasing supply and Consumer Rights Directorate has been instructed to work vigorously.'
Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin said this at the inauguration of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) potato sales program in a mobile truck at Karwan Bazar in the capital on Wednesday (November 20).
The Commerce Adviser said that prices of daily necessities in the market are not decreasing due to weakness in supply management. However, all kinds of measures are being taken to increase supply. Customs duties have been reduced on some products. This has reduced prices to some extent. For this, Consumer Rights has been instructed to work vigorously.
He also said that rice import has already started. Permission has been given to import about 20 crore eggs. We are working extensively on oil. We are working in coordination with all parties ahead of Ramadan.
The adviser further said, "To bring the increased price of potatoes in the market to a tolerable level, we have started selling potatoes through TCB at a fair price. The inflation of daily necessities in today's market is mainly supply-oriented. We are working day and night to improve the supply system. We are holding meetings with all stakeholders on this."
Sheikh Bashiruddin said, "Not only the Ministry of Commerce, but also the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Food, and Ministry of Commerce have taken initiatives in this regard. The advisers, including the Chief Adviser, are sensitive to this matter. Some products have started to get relief, and this time potatoes will also get relief. Besides, we have started working extensively on oil. We are working in a coordinated manner with everyone, keeping Ramadan in mind."
The inauguration ceremony of the mobile truck selling potatoes along with other TCB products by Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) was also attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Mr. Mohd. Selim Uddin, Proprietor of Messrs. Arash Enterprises Md. Sirajul Islam (Milon) and many others. At the end of the ceremony, potatoes along with other TCB products were sold at a price of Tk. 40 per kg.