The government has decided to stop the sales of non-bottled soybean oil after May 31 and sales of non-bottled palm oil after December 31 this year with an aim to ensure sales of edible oil at a fixed price.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi gave the information at a press conference after a meeting held at the secretariat on Wednesday on keeping the commodities prices in check during the month of Ramadan, reports BSS.
"Only bottled or packed soybean and palm oil will be allowed to be sold in retail shops. Therefore, edible oil will be sold in a softly-packaged system. The commerce ministry is working with the industries ministry to ensure the packaging systems," he said.
He also said the government will take stern action against dishonest businessmen who are illegally stocking and hoarding edible oils.
"Some of them sell bottled oil illegally as non-bottled to make a profit," he added.
Tipu Munshi said the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) would sell essential items to some 10 million low-income group people at lower prices ahead of Ramadan.
"TCB will come to the market increasing its capacity around four times. Essential items of the TCB will be reached to 10 million people within the next one or one and a half months. I think, around 50 million people will be benefited through the initiative," he said.
