CAB protests against artificial edible oil crisis in N’ganj

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organised a human chain in Narayanganj to protest the artificial shortage and overpricing of edible oil in the market. The program was held in front of the Narayanganj Press Club on Wednesday.

Speakers alleged that dishonest traders are manipulating the market, causing instability. Soybean oil is being sold at Tk 30-34 per liter above the government-set price. In some areas, an artificial shortage of bottled oil is being created, while in others, excessive prices are charged under the name of loose oil.

They said the government-fixed price is Tk 185 per liter for loose soybean oil and Tk 170 for bottled oil, but bottled oil is being sold for up to Tk 200.

Similarly, loose palm oil is also being sold above the set price, indicating weak market monitoring.
They further alleged that a syndicate is creating artificial shortages despite having sufficient stock in warehouses, raising prices unfairly and exploiting consumers.

Expressing concern over oil quality, CAB district general secretary Billal Hossain Robin said that in many cases, oil is being stored and sold in non-food-grade containers, posing serious health risks.

Through the human chain, CAB demanded strict enforcement of government prices, identification and punishment of syndicates, stronger market monitoring, action against hoarding, and mandatory use of food-grade containers.