Memory of commodity market manipulation to be erased: Commerce Minister

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Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that the memory of manipulation-syndicates in the market of daily necessities will be erased during the tenure of the current government. The government will do whatever is necessary for this. 

He said these things at the opening ceremony of ‘Krishak Hat’ under government management in the area adjacent to Tilagarh Point of the city on Saturday (April 11) morning.

Abdul Muktadir said that the government is currently subsidizing TCB activities in the amount of 3200 to 3300 crores, which will be reduced in the future; But the scope of TCB will be increased in market regulation. 

He said that ‘Krishak Hat’ is a new initiative for Sylhet but not new for the whole world. It is in different countries. How many new steps are we going to add for market management? You know, suddenly the prices of one or two agricultural products jump. Agricultural produce and consumer goods that we import have suddenly seen abnormal price hikes. How many initiatives have been taken to keep the market of these products stable and even within the purchasing power of people throughout the year. One of them is this ‘farmer’s market’. This initiative will be taken across the country. The local administration will designate a place where the farmers will produce. At that particular place, the farmers will sell their produce in the market for one or two days a week or as many days as are convenient. Although the farmers will bear the cost of transporting the goods, the minister expects that due to the monitoring of the local administration, no other costs will be added.

The minister said, first of all, it is heard that one has to pay a contribution here and there. There is no possibility of extortion here due to the supervision of the administration. Second, there are multiple layers between production and consumer; Due to which the price increases due to change of hands. There will be no tiers in farmers markets, which will benefit both farmers and consumers. On the other hand, there will be no chance of sudden price increase in the market. This is basically the purpose of farmers markets. 

At this time, he also said that, similarly, various steps are being taken to ensure that the prices of oil, pulses and other daily necessities in the market remain stable. One of these steps is to integrate the entire supply chain into an AI (Artificial Intelligent) model. Where information on importers, wholesalers and retailers will be included. Through this it will be easy to keep track of the government. 

The Minister of Commerce said that besides these initiatives, the TCB activities that the government is going on to control the market will be strengthened. Government gives subsidy of Tk 3200 to 3300 crore annually to run TCB activities. It is used to regulate the market, to provide products to consumers at lower prices. This subsidy will be reduced. However, the effectiveness and scope of the TCB will be increased, so that it will play a role in regulating the market by importing more products.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Divisional Commissioner Khan under the chairmanship of Sarwar Alam. Reza-un-Nabi, Acting President of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Rezaul Hasan Qais Lodi, General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, Sylhet Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Khoshnoor Rubaiyat and Deputy Director of Agriculture Extension Directorate Shamsuzzaman were present.