Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said on Monday that legal actions are being taken against some dishonest traders involved with illegal hoarding of onion to earn windfall profits.
“Despite having sufficient stock, we are importing onion in alternative ways. But, some unscrupulous traders are trying to take advantage of the situation,” he said while talking to journalists at his Central Road residence in Dhaka.
He reiterated that the onion reserves are sufficient in the country and taking of legal actions continue against those who are illegally stocking the daily essential commodity.
“The present government has taken a firm stance to ensure fair price of onion in local markets. Ten teams are working in the fields to carry out the directions,” he said.
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is currently selling onion at Tk45 per kilogram at 45 points in the capital city.
“Steps are being taken so that the TCB could start selling onion in Rangpur soon to ensure its fair prices,” Tipu added. Joint General Secretary of district Awami League (AL) Professor Mazed Ali Babul, leaders and workers of the district and city units AL and its associate bodies were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, onion price marked a sharp fall by Tk20 to Tk30 per kilogram at City Bazar Kitchen Market and other markets in the city since Saturday than last week following various pragmatic steps and legal actions taken by the government.
“We are selling locally produced onion at rates between Tk75 and Tk80 per kilogram while imported Indian onion are being sold at rates between Tk65 and Tk70 per kilogram now,” said onion retailer Hafizur Rahman at the market.
“Onion was being sold at rates between Tk90 and Tk110 per kilogram last week in the kitchen markets of the city,” Hafizur added.
Talking to BSS, vegetable trader at Keranipara Kitchen Market in the city Fazlur Rahman said, “The retail price of locally produced and imported onion started decreasing during the past three days and this falling trend will continue.”
