Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has announced that the government will take action against traders who raised edible oil prices unilaterally without prior notice.
He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon at the Secretariat in response to journalists’ questions.
When asked whether visible measures would be taken if traders had committed a punishable offense, the adviser said, “Certainly, why would not we? We will take all the legal measures available to us.”
He added, “Even though the traders decided to raise edible oil prices, the government had no prior knowledge. Previously, whenever traders increased prices, the government did not accept it and took action. Sales continued at prices set nearly two and a half months ago.”
However, the adviser noted that if there is a justifiable reason for the price increase, it will be discussed.
Asked whether the government has control over traders, he replied, “You will know through our actions whether we have control or not. Control certainly exists.”
Meanwhile, AHM Shofiquzzaman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told the media that raising edible oil prices without consultation with the government constitutes a violation of the law.
He urged strict legal action against those responsible, adding that market oversight has recently weakened, making it necessary to strengthen monitoring immediately.
Recently, the price of soybean oil at the consumer level was raised without any announcement. This time, the price has increased by Tk9 per liter. A new five-liter bottle is now selling at Tk965, up from the previous Tk922. Additionally, bottled edible oil has been priced at Tk198 per liter, compared to Tk189 previously.
