Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday warned that the government will strictly enforce the Special Powers Act, 1974, which allows the death penalty for hoarding and will be used to break market syndicates and protect marginal farmers.
The minister issued the warning after inspecting a wholesale market and warehouse for jute and onions in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah.
“We will move forward to break all syndicates in every sector so that marginal farmers can benefit,” Asaduzzaman said, stressing that syndicates have held farmers hostage in the markets. “We are working to dismantle these syndicates,” he added.
He noted: “The maximum punishment for hoarding under the Special Powers Act of 1974 is the death penalty. Therefore, those who engage in hoarding should think twice.”
The minister observed that despite their hard labour, farmers do not receive fair prices. Upon arriving at the market, they fall victim to syndicate operators.
He said farmers were sometimes forced to pay an extra 2 kilograms as tola (levy) for every maund of jute or onion. In addition, market cleaners and transgender individuals (hijras) also collected tola. As a result, farmers were effectively compelled to give 45 kg for every maund.
“This is completely unjust. We will break this market syndicate. Directives have already been issued to all haats and markets. No one will be spared if they violate the rules,” the minister said.
Asaduzzaman told traders threatening to stop purchases over tola to leave the market, saying new traders would naturally take their place.
Shailkupa Upazila BNP President Abul Hossain, General Secretary Humayun Babar Firoz, and leaders and activists of various affiliate organisations were present during the minister’s inspection.
