City Desk :
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will continue to sell essential commodities at subsidised rates to ease people’s suffering, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu has said.
“We’ll increase TCB’s service quality and the number of products,” he said after visiting the Shantibagh TCB sales point on Friday, reports media.
“There was no supply in the market for 7-8 days. Shopkeepers took advantage of this supply situation. That is unethical. If you inform us (about such manipulation), we will take action,” he said.
Regarding an increase in rice prices, the state minister said, “We’re trying to ensure that the rice supply system from mills to wholesale markets remains uninterrupted. We have enough rice. We are trying to hold talks with truck owners. If we can fix truck fares by distance like bus fares, it will help balance transport costs and market prices.”
Titu said the government is trying to increase the supply of onions. “The price is a little high as the supply has fallen. Efforts are underway to bring onions from India. As onions were brought in Ramadan, efforts are being made to distribute onions in Dhaka through TCB,” he said.
Regarding market monitoring, he said, “We are monitoring the wholesale and retail levels. There is no shortage of products. Despite all these obstacles, we have been able to keep the supply of products in the market uninterrupted.”
Stating that the price of oil and sugar has been determined, he said, “You will buy by looking at the price written on it. Still, if there is any problem, then call the hotline number of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. We will take action.”