Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has warned that legal actions will be taken if any trader is found involved in raising prices of commodities by creating artificial crisis ahead of Ramadan.
“There is enough stock of essentials including sugar, dates, pulses and others,” Tofail said while exchanging views with a group of businessmen at his residence in the Bhola district town on Wednesday.
“There is no reason behind price hike of essentials as huge commodities are in stock comparing to the demand,” he said, adding that Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is all set to start open market sale of daily commodities from May 6.
Speaking on the occasion, he urged the businessmen not to hike prices and remain alert so that prices of essentials can be kept stable during the month of Ramadan, according to a UNB report.
During the holy month of Ramadan, special teams will monitor the market and conduct regular drives to check food adulteration, Tofail said.
The Minister later distributed Tk 1.5 million among 52 traders affected by a recent fire incident from the party fund while Tk 10,000 each from Bhola Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Tk 6,000, two bundles of tin from the local administration.