Market surveillance begins in preparation to Ramadan
The government has started market surveillance in a bid to curb an unusual spiral in essential commodity prices ahead of Ramadan.
Four teams visited six kitchen markets in the city yesterday and fined 12 retails for selling sugar and edible oil at higher prices, said Md Abul Hossain Mian, director general of Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection.
The inspection took place at Shantinagar market in Malibagh, Shah Ali Market in Mirpur, Mohammadpur Town Hall maket and Kathalbagan market.
Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed said 14 teams will be formed to monitor the prices of essentials in Dhaka from the beginning of next month. The monitoring would be done on a daily basis during Ramadan.
"The government will take legal actions against attempts to increase prices by creating artificial crisis in the market," the commerce ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Teams in district and divisional cities, too, will monitor the markets, said the commerce ministry.
The ministry began sending price monitoring teams after it held several meetings with traders over supplies of commodities ahead of Ramadan when the demand goes up.
"Businesses have assured the commerce ministry that prices will not increase ahead of Ramadan and there will be no supply shortfall," added the statement.
Referring to businesses, it said the stock of rice, pulse, edible oil and sugar and essentials are adequate. "So there is no possibility of supply shortfall in the market," it added.
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