price hike whenever minister talks

http://www.shahriar.info (শাহরিয়ারের স্বপ্নবিলাস) http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=187991 A number of ruling alliance lawmakers yesterday came down heavily on the food and commerce ministers in parliament for their failure to arrest the price hike of essentials, and the government's reluctance to procure rice from farmers. During question hour, they expressed deep concern over the price spiral of edible oil, sugar and rice in particular. Awami League legislator Kamal Ahmed Majumder said the price hike shows Food Minister Abdur Razzaque's inability to handle the situation. Alliance lawmakers Keramat Ali, MS Akbar and some others asked the food minister and Commerce Minister Faruk Khan why they failed to check the price spiral of essentials. They called upon the two ministers to take immediate steps in this regard keeping in view the upcoming Ramadan. In response, the commerce minister said the government is concerned over the high price of sugar and edible oil. He however blamed this on the global market situation. Both Razzaque and Faruk assured the lawmakers of keeping the prices of essentials stable during the Ramadan. They mentioned that the government has taken different steps like reduction of import tax on sugar and giving incentives to private sector importers to ensure adequate stock of food and several other essentials. Kamal Majumder said, "Price of rice is increasing despite a bumper Boro production...I think the ministers are not aware of the poor people's sufferings due to soaring prices of essentials." He alleged that the food ministry has taken no steps to build the required rice stock. The food minister said, "There is no crisis of food in the country right now, and I believe the lawmaker brought the allegations out of emotion." He also said his ministry is overseeing the market round-the-clock and is trying to control it. On procurement of rice from farmers, the food minister said, "I will take steps immediately... Farmers are getting due price for rice." On allegations of syndication, he said, "The media always speak of syndication. I request the media to tell the syndicates to increase the price of potato, which is selling at low prices." AL legislator Abdul Mannan said, "If the government does not buy rice from the farmers right now, it will help the hoarders." Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujib-ul-Haque wanted to know about steps to ensure fair prices of essential commodities during Ramadan. In reply, the commerce minister said the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh has already started building stocks of various essentials. "TCB will import 30 thousand tonnes each of sugar and edible oil, 1,500 tonnes of pulses and 1,000 tonnes of dates," he added.