Steps taken to control commodity prices during Ramadan: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the government has taken various steps to control commodity prices during the month of Ramadan.

The Prime Minister told the parliament in reply to a supplementary question during the Prime Minister’s scheduled question-answer session on Wednesday. 

She also called upon the country’s people to remain vigilant to the market alongside the government monitoring to keep the prices of essential commodities at a tolerable level.   

Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Huq, elected from Kishoreganj-3 constituency, made the question regarding the market monitoring and punitive measures to stop the unethical jobs of traders and businessmen. 

Mentioning that there are also Members of Parliament and local government representatives, Sheikh Hasina said, “If everyone helps the government in market monitoring, then the unscrupulous traders and businessmen can’t hike prices in a dishonest way.” 

She added, “Off course, from the government side, we are taking stern actions and will continue to do it... we are trying our best.” 
The Leader of House said that alongside conducting mobile courts, regular visits to the markets are going on and punitive measures are being taken to stop the dishonesty in the market. 

“Even after that, if anyone hikes the prices of essential commodities deliberately, stern actions must be taken against them,” she added. 

The Prime Minister said the government has to keep in mind that the farmers should get the reasonable prices of their produces and simultaneously, it also has to be ensured that consumers could purchase the products at prices at a tolerable level. 
“Our government is very much aware about it,” she added. 

In addition, Sheikh Hasina said, worldwide transportation has been facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ukraine-Russia war, and Israel’s attack on Gaza. 

Regarding the imported essential commodities, she said, the post Covid-19 situation and wars have been creating troubles.