Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Tuesday the recent increase in fuel prices is unlikely to have a significant impact on the prices of essential commodities.
He made the comments while responding to questions from journalists after distributing raincoats among tea workers at the factory ground of Lakkatura Tea Garden in Sylhet.
The minister said strict monitoring would be carried out to prevent unscrupulous traders from taking advantage of the situation.
Muktadir said the opposition is an elected opposition party and should behave responsibly instead of making sensational statements.
Earlier, raincoats were distributed among 1,980 tea workers from different tea gardens.
Addressing the tea workers, the minister said the government is taking various steps to increase the income of tea gardens.
“Just a few days ago, we held a meeting on the prime minister’s instructions to make tea gardens profitable,” he said.
He said discussions are underway on whether timber, spice and other trees could be planted in tea gardens without harming tea plants.
Solar power facilities will also be installed in gardens where feasible, he added.
“The main objective is to increase the income of the gardens. If we can increase their income, we will also be able to increase the wages of the workers properly,” the minister said.
Highlighting various initiatives to improve the living standards of tea workers, Muktadir said ambulances are being arranged for tea garden workers.
Schools will be established in gardens where there are none, while roads inside the gardens will also be repaired, he said.
The event was organised by the Sylhet Sadar Upazila administration.
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Quiyum Choudhury, Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun, District Council Administrator Abul Kaher Chowdhury, Mahanagar BNP President Nasim Hossain, among others, attended the program.