DHAKA: The government has started selling onion through the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) on Tuesday (September 17) at Tk 45 per kg to cool down skyrocketing prices of this widely consumed item in the local markets.

Meanwhile, customers have been seen buying onions at Khamar Bari since morning. One buyer can buy up to two kg of onion. One truck contains 1000 kg of onion.

In this regard, Rafiqul Islam, a member of the executive committee of the dealer association of TCB, told Banglanews, “We have started selling onions here at 9:30 am. Per customer can buy onions for two kg. We were given 100 kg of onion.

The onions are being sold on trucks at five points in the capital, including the National Press Club, Balaka Chattar at Motijheel and Khamarbari.

Earlier, the decision was made to sell onion in the open market on Sunday (September 16), chaired by Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi. The government decided to sell the open market to curb skyrocketing price of opinions.

Both local and Indian onions sold at Tk 80 per kilogramme (kg) in different kitchen markets in Dhaka with a maximum hike of Tk 30 per kg which prompted the government to sell by TCB.

The price went up in the capital’s kitchen markets for last few days due to India's decision to curb exports, the major source for the item for Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Commerce has also sent a letter to the Bangladesh Bank to take necessary steps to reduce the LC margin and interest rate in the onion import.

In addition, a letter has been sent to the authorities concerned in the ports to expedite release of the imported onions and ensure smooth transport.

BDST: 1216 HRS, SEP 17, 2019
RS/SMS