The authorities on Sunday fined seven wholesalers of edible oil Tk 16,000 for stockpiling and selling soybean oil at a price higher than that fixed by the government during a raid in Sylhet.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has launched a nationwide drive to prevent stockpiling and overpricing of soybean oil in the market, following the record hike in the cooking oil’s house, reports UNB.
On the instructions of the director-general of the department, the Sylhet district and divisional office conducted a drive in Sylhet from 11 am like the rest of the country.
During the drive, warehouses and shops of soybean oil dealers in Kalighat, Kazir Bazar, Lama Bazar, Madina Market, Akhalia and Tuker Bazar of Sylhet city were inspected.
However, no evidence of stockpiling of soybean oil was found in any warehouse in the Kalighat area of the city.
Traders claim that enough oil is not being supplied from the oil company's depots.
On the other hand, the depot authorities informed that the oil supply was a little less due to the Eid holidays. However, they have started getting enough soybean oil from Sunday.
Assistant Director Shyamal Purkayastha and Md Amirul Islam Masud, Assistant Director of the Department were also present during the drive along with Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and law enforcers.