The Ministry of Commerce has directed deputy commissioners to ensure the presence of designated officials while selling potatoes at government-fixed prices at the cold-storage level across Bangladesh.
The ministry asked them to implement the directive starting Wednesday, according to a circular issued by the ministry on Tuesday.
The circular was issued following Section 3(2)(B) of the Control of Essential Commodities Act.
Under this provision of the act, deputy commissioners have to take necessary steps to sell potatoes at government-fixed prices from cold storages in their respective districts to keep potatoes prices stable. They will designate an official at the district and upazila levels to oversee the sales of potatoes from cold storages.
The designated officials have to ensure the provision of vouchers to buyers at the cold-storage level.
Earlier on September 14, the government fixed the prices of potatoes at Tk26-27 per kg at the cold-storage level and Tk35-36 per kg at the retail level.
However, there have been reports of potatoes not being sold in kitchen markets at government-fixed prices.
In such circumstances, the government issued the directive to deputy commissioners to stabilize the potato market.
