Traders at Moulvibazar in the city have urged the government to amend the age-old commodities law against the backdrop of changing global business environment.
They made the call following rift and misunderstanding, that developed between the government's mobile teams and the traders in recent days, centring quantities of stocking commodities at a time legally.
The traders came up with the recommendation of amending the Control of Essential Commodities Act during a discussion with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) leaders at Moulvibazar on Wednesday.
They also said there is no chance of supply shortage and price hike of spices in the markets during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha due to their sufficient stock.
President of Bangladesh Wholesale Spice Traders Association Md Enayet Ullah assured the FBCCI leaders that there is no shortage of spices and there is no possibility (by the traders) to increase their prices during the Eid.
The FBCCI leaders also discussed with the traders about stocks of commodities along with their import, supply and price situation in the markets.
President of Moulvibazar Baboshayee Samity (Traders' Association) Syed Md Bashir Uddin vowed to take actions against the traders concerned as per their association's rules, if any of them would try to increase the prices of essentials artificially ahead of the Eid.
Speaking as the chief guest of the discussion, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin also called upon the government to amend the year-old Control of Essential Commodities Act.
Discussions were held with the Ministry of Commerce and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) about amending the law.
The FBCCI chief urged the traders to do their business honestly and play a responsible role, as the world is passing through a critical situation.
He also called upon the shop owners of different markets to take steps for containing the price spiral at retail level.
"The FBCCI will not shoulder the responsibility of any crime, committed by dishonest traders."
He urged the honest traders to resist dishonest activities of the profit-monger traders.
FBCCI Senior Vice-President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, its directors Abu Motaleb and Harun-or-Rashid, general secretary of Moulvibazar Traders' Association Azmal Hossain Bablu and its former president Abdur Razzaque were present, among others, on the occasion.
