The government has decided to stop the sale of non-bottled soybean oil from June 1 to ensure that cooking oil is sold at fixed prices.
A similar decision has also been taken for non-bottled palm oil, sales of which will cease after December 31.
"Only bottled or packaged soybean and palm oil will be allowed to be sold in retail shops," Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said told reporters on Wednesday after an inter-ministerial meeting on keeping commodities prices in check during the month of Ramadan.
"It is not possible to ensure that non-bottled oil is sold at fixed prices. Therefore, edible oil will be sold in a softly-packaged system. The Commerce Ministry is working with the Industries Ministry to ensure the packaging system," the minister added.
Munshi also said the government has rejected the new proposal of hiking cooking oil prices from traders.
He added that the government will take stern action against dishonest businessmen who are illegally stocking and hoarding cooking oil.
"Some of them sell bottled oil illegally as non-bottled oil to make a profit," the commerce minister said.
To control the unusual price situation, law enforcement agencies, deputy commissioners, the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, and other agencies have been instructed to conduct drives in the market, he added.
