CHATTOGRAM: The district administration has taken steps to control price hike of essentials during Ramadan, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammed Mominur Rahman said on Tuesday.
He said a committee has already been formed to monitor market and supply situation in Chattogram which got into action on Tuesday.
He was speaking after holding a meeting in this regard with representatives of all stakeholders, including other top government officials, importers, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) leaders, law enforcers, warehouse and transport owners, and others.
"Market monitoring teams are working, mobile courts deployed, and others in the vigilance team are watching carefully everything related to the market and supply. They are working to curb unethical price hike, food adulteration, extortion and hoarding ahead of the Ramadan in the port city," he said.
"We have formed the 17-member vigilance team to monitor the market. The team is working in this regard from today," he added.
He said, "Before the beginning of Ramadan, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will sell essentials through trucks at different points of the city which will be continued in the holy month. We never allow the traders or importers to illegally stockpile essentials to make profit. We will take stern action against the hoarders."
"During the meeting, importers, traders and other stakeholders have agreed to cooperate with us to arrest price hike of essentials. The team will monitor the markets and the businessmen will help in this regard," he stated.
Noting that there is no shortage of essentials at wholesale or retail markets of Chattogram, he said "There is no reason of hiking the price in Ramadan. We will handle strictly any attempt to hike prices."
The supply chain of all essentials has been smoothly managed in Chattogram as imported essentials are unloaded at Chittagong Port from where the commodities are distributed to other districts, he said, adding "So, we have the responsibility to ensure the continuation of the smooth supply of essentials to other districts of the country to curb any bid to hike prices during Ramadan."
