Supply of essential commodities adequate

Speakers at a webinar of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) today mentioned that supply of essential commodities is adequate and there is no possibility of price hike during the holy month of Ramadan.

They said this at the webinar on “Law and order situation and keeping price of essentials stable in the upcoming Ramadan”, said a press release. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan joined the webinar as the chief guest while Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh joined as the special guest.

Asaduzzaman Khan said “Extortion is under control now despite we could not control it completely but we are tough against it. In the month of Ramadan, here in Bangladesh we always experience a price spiral but in many countries in the world lower their prices at this time.” From 14 April, he said, the country may go for a hard lockdown to save lives.

He urged all to maintain health advisories and instructions from the government. “We want the help of businessmen to keep the prices stable not only in the month of Ramadan but also all the year round. Law enforcement agencies are now largely capable and expert so you are requested to take their help any time,” he said.

Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said “We have to be united. DSCC has already formed a committee comprising of nine counselors for market monitoring. We are regularly conducting mobile courts. DSCC is a business-friendly service organization. We will work for the greater interest of the city dwellers.”

He also stressed on awareness for Covid 19 and said “We sometimes see negligence in terms of obeying health advisories. Coordinated efforts will help us to come out of this pandemic. Extortions are now very minimum and our fight against extortionists will continue.”

DCCI President Rizwan Rahman in his welcome remarks said when the economy was in the way of recovery, at that moment the second wave of Covid 19 came back.”The worldwide supply chain and production are hampered and are responsible for inflation.

Price hike in the international market and volatility in the supply chain have an impact on price hike in Bangladesh,” he added.Besides, he said, the issue of the international market, creating artificial crisis by hoarding, lack of market monitoring, extortion in the transportation sector, and increased transportation cost are some of the reasons of price spiral especially in the month of Ramadan.

According to a study, he said, the poverty rate soared up to 42 percent due to pandemic which was 20.5 percent a year ago. In this scenario, if prices of essential commodities increased, people would suffer a lot in the month of Ramadan, he added.To keep prices under control, he suggested releasing essential goods from the port considering it as a priority.

Law enforcement agencies should take stern action against the extortionists in the transportation sector, he added. He also recommended a strong market monitoring system and bringing the ultra-poor section under the social safety net.

(AA)