A general rise in commodity prices--especially onion tasting hottest --now moves the government to action to tame the market by augmenting supplies and strict monitoring.
Officials say in the wake of price rises, the government is going to sit today (Monday) in a bid to devise strategies for keeping the prices of key essential items, including onion, stable on the domestic market.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at the commerce ministry, with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi in the chair.
In the meantime, ports and district administrations concerned have been asked to ensure prompt import clearance and lorry movement for repletion of the supply chain.
The government has moved to engage the line ministries in ensuring smooth supply of onions and other essentials on the domestic market, officials said, as the spice item proves too pungent amid price spirals,.
It has also asked the authorities concerned to take effective measures for speedy release of onions from different ports to tame the wayward market and bring its prices within the buying capacity of the commoners.
Deputy commissioners (DCs) of Cox's Bazar, Satkhira, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Panchagarh and Lalmonirhat districts have been instructed to do the needful for smooth movement of trucks laden with onions, imported from a neighbouring country, across the country.
Besides, the commerce ministry has requested the agriculture ministry to issue import permission (IP) and required quarantine certificate in the shortest possible time.
The commerce ministry also asked the DCs of Pabna, Faridpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Kushtia, Naogaon, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Natore districts to take actions for the strengthening of monitoring activities and provide current stock of onions in their respective areas.
"The instructions came following a sudden hike in onion prices on the local market," a senior official of the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the ministry of commerce Tuesday sent letters to the agriculture minister, port authorities and DCs concerned for taking necessary steps in this regard, a high official said.
It has also asked them to "take immediate steps to make sure that the supply of the key item is not impeded anyhow", he added.
Letters were sent to the Chittagong, Mongla and inland port authorities to take next course of action for the release, loading and unloading of imported onions on a priority basis to ensure its smooth supply in the country, the official mentioned.
The supply chain of the essential commodity will be hampered if the release, loading and unloading of such goods are delayed inside the country, which may create multiple crises, including artificial price hike of these items on the market, he said.
He, however, said traders have been urged frequently to ensure speedy clearance of imports from different ports to help keep the prices of these items under control.
As part of ensuring a sufficient supply of the essential spice in the country, the commerce ministry has already taken multiple measures to extend support to the import sector.
"Under the circumstances, an adequate supply of onion should be ensured to meet the growing demand in the country," the official also mentioned.
The agriculture ministry will take requisite actions from its side for keeping the onion market stable throughout the year.
Economists and analysts say a sort of agflation, meaning a general increase in prices of agricultural produce, alongside high prices of other commodities spurs general inflation. The cost of living, as such, is on the increase.
Some of the commodities have leapt beyond the buying capacity of low-and fixed-income groups of people.
Onion price, in particular, made some quirky jumps in quick succession that prompted the sources to point their finger at possible work of oligopolies.
Prices of rice, oils, chilies, vegetables, to name a few, have also marked rise-sometimes despite adequate supply.
