Sayeed Khokon, member of parliament of Dhaka-6 Constituency, has said that it would be possible to control commodity prices if the extortion in the name of the city toll is stopped in Dhaka’s kitchen markets.
He said these things in a meeting at the National Press Club on Saturday.
In the question and answer session, Sayeed Khokon said: "I have been calling for an end to extortion in the name of city toll since I was elected as a member of parliament. When the police in my constituency go to stop the extortion, the extortionists show a paper (city toll) from the concerned corporation, claiming that they are doing this legally.
Titu: Govt working to ensure supply of essential commodities at affordable prices“If this extortion is stopped, the city dwellers will be able to buy vegetables, fish and meat at low prices in the kitchen market," he added.
The former mayor said: "City corporation is a service provider organization, it is not a business organization. Service provider organizations generate revenue in various ways to provide services to the public.
“Businesses will be run on a profit-loss basis. And the service institutions of the government will be managed on the basis of ensuring service. That's why there's a big difference in perspective," he added.
Stating that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated a lot for the development of infrastructure in Dhaka South, Sayeed Khokon said: "During my tenure, according to the directives of the prime minister, reducing public suffering was my main responsibility.
“The prime minister allotted me a lot of developmental work. The city corporation did not have to extort," he added.
Sayeed Khokon claimed that Dhaka South City Corporation has made a false statement about the number of dengue patients in Dhaka.
Pointing to South City Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, Sayeed Khokon said: "While I was the Mayor, Aedes mosquitoes spread widely in Dhaka city in 2019. Then I tried my best to control dengue.
“I did not make any error in this attempt. I didn't travel abroad with my family leaving city dwellers,” he added.
