Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday assured an extortion-free business environment in the country
He was speaking at a program titled “Campaign for buying goods being economical” as the chief guest.
The program was jointly organized by Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners association at Karwan Bazar.
Kamal also assured the businessmen of prompt action against any extortion related complaint from them.
The home minister said: “The government has been taking strict action to control the prices of commodities and other prices during Ramadan.”
He urged the businessmen to let law enforcers know about extortionists. “You (traders) can’t increase the price of commodities as an excuse of giving extortion money. We want to curb extortion and make the prices of daily essentials under control. We need your help for the cause.”
Kamal further said: “Once Karwan Bazar was a very dangerous place in the city where people were killed more often and the customers’ and traders’ money was snatched.”
“But, now the situation is better. Still a little bit of problem remains here. We don’t know who the extortionists are. That’s why traders have to stand against them and let us know.”
“We will show zero tolerance against extortion. To combat the problem, the traders have to help the government as well as the law enforcing agencies,” said the home minister.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam also spoke at the event.
Atiqul also asked the businessmen not to hike prices of goods, rather reduce them during Ramadan.
He said: “Some buildings at Karwan Bazar are risky for use. We have received letter from Dhaka’s divisional commissioner in this regard. We will immediately talk to tenants of the buildings to shift their businesses elsewhere.”
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) Benazir Ahmed said: “The culture of hiking commodity prices during the month of Ramadan should be stopped. The prices should have to be reduced by minimum Tk1 at every product this year.”
The RAB DG also warned traders not to sell adulterated foods.
Bangladesh Shop Owners Association President Helal Uddin presided the campaign, while Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association President Toufic Ehsan moderated the discussion.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) outgoing President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Consumers Association of Bangladesh President Golam Rahman, spoke at the discussion, among others.
