Curbing price hike of essentials needs deeper commitment

That unscrupulous businesspersons are responsible for price hike of essential commodities is known to all.

But the greediness of these dishonest businesspersons is hardly punished by the relevant authorities in Bangladesh.

Sometimes some anti-hoarding and price control drives are launched and, even if such unscrupulous businesspersons are found out, these errant traders are not awarded exemplary punishment.

The market syndicates, composed of a cohesive group of a few importers and traders controlling the supply chain and setting the prices to make windfall profit, can escape the reach of the long hand of law.

Now the question is how could these syndicates avoid law enforcement? Certainly there must be collusion between businesspersons who are also politicians, law enforcers, the importers and the dishonest traders.

Most lawmakers directly control the business of the country.

According to the Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik, there are now a total of 182 businesspersons in the current parliament.

Of these politicians-cum-businesspersons, 174 belong to ruling Awami League who, with their brute majority, can turn down any pro-consumer but anti-corporate move in the Jatiya Sangsad.

The parliament that now has turned into a club of ‘cotipotis’ (millionaires) fails to uphold the interest of the common consumers.

The syndicates formed in the interest of these politicians are controlling the supply chain of essential commodities and markets.

Things will not change by merely holding a multi-stakeholder meeting titled ‘Strengthening Business-Agency Collaboration’ at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 23rd August.

This meeting was attended by representatives of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection, Consumer Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka North City Corporation and department of labour.

The meeting was, however, not graced by the businesspersons-cum-parliamentarians who are responsible for price hike, hoarding and syndication.

Putting the problem in place, such a meeting on curbing the cronies will be just beating around the bush.

On top of all, such bureaucrats who are posted in the commerce ministry for a short stint will not be able to stop the greedy and unscrupulous businesspersons and contain troubles in a sustainable way.