Regarding the recent increase in commodity price, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said a class of unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the fuel oil price hike.

He said: "A class of unscrupulous traders look for opportunities." 

The minister made the remark while replying to questions from reporters at a press conference at the secretariat in the city.

Tipu also said, "Due to the increase in the price of fuel oil, the price of rice should increase by 50 paisa per kg. But it has increased by Tk 4 per kg. They made use of the opportunity." 

He said that the ministry is monitoring the market and hopes that the price will be under control by October.

Besides, regarding the unusual increase in the price of eggs, he said, "If the price can be reduced by importing eggs, we can do that too, if necessary." 

He said that no decision has been taken yet on fixing the price of edible oil and a decision will be taken later.

"Global oil prices are falling, and dollar price is increasing. The price will be fixed by coordinating these two," Tipu Munshi said. 

The press conference was organised to explain the ministry's stand on the irregularities in the report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) regarding the distribution of subsidised family cards distributed by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

Regarding the TIB report, Tipu said there could be at most 5 percent irregularities.

"There is no denying this fact. But we managed to reach 95 percent of people," he added.

BDST: 1754 HRS, Aug 17, 2022
MSK/SMS