Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association (BSOA) has demanded the withdrawal of the circular issued by the Department of Agricultural Marketing fixing prices of 29 daily commodities.
During a press conference in Dhaka today (19 March), Helal Uddin, president of the association, said the pricing is unreasonable and self-destructive.
“Prices cannot be fixed in a free market economy. Now the price has been set for 29 products. The Department of Agriculture Marketing can sell at these prices and give their employees salaries with the profit they make,” Helal Uddin said.
“Either they sell at the fixed price, or withdraw the circular. We cannot sell at these prices. Price-fixing is absurd-unrealistic and pointless,” he added.
Helal Uddin said the only thing sellers want was buyers’ satisfaction. “Traders are trying their best to keep the price of the product within the reach of the consumers.”
Secretary General Zahirul Haque Bhuiyan and other businessmen were also present at the press conference.
The shop owners association presented a 7-point demand to the prime minister: suspend notification fixing price of 29 goods. Otherwise, businesses will be kept closed.
Ensure accurate statistics of import, production of various products. Increase capacity of the TCB. Initially, product should be imported and marketed and then show difference between the private and public sector.
Reform market management and bring consumer goods under same ministry. Ensure supply according to the market demand. Create stress-free business environment and reduce all consumer goods taxes to tolerable level.
On 15 March, the Department of Agricultural Marketing fixed the prices of 29 agricultural products. The government agency said the price is determined in coordination with the production cost.
