Sayeed Khokon blames extortion for soaring beef prices

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon, on Thursday said extortion at the Gabtoli Cattle Market is responsible for soaring beef prices.

The mayor made the observation while visiting the Hatirpool Kitchen Market on Thursday.

"Beef prices will decrease to some extent if extortion at the Gabtoli Cattle Market can be stopped," he said to reporters at Hatirpool. 

Butchers have been increasing beef prices in recent years citing extortion on highways and a poor supply of cattle.

The DSCC mayor also said police have been informed about extortion at the Gabtoli Cattle Market.

After holding a meeting with market butchers, the government has set the price of beef at Tk525 per kg during Ramadan. But most market butchers and traders violate the agreement, citing higher tolls and extortion at the Gabtoli Cattle Market.  

Mayor Khokon said: “They complained that they can’t reduce beef prices due to extortion at Gabtoli cattle market. That’s why beef prices are relatively higher.”

Digital boards displaying price lists will be installed at 21 kitchen markets under the DSCC so that the price list can be updated from Nagar Bhaban directly, without visiting markets, Sayeed Khokon said.

Saying they were carrying out monitoring activities with a limited workforce, Khokon added that the monitoring committees have been directed not only to impose fines for food adulteration, but also imprisonment.