Prices of essential commodity to stay tolerable during Ramadan: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told the Parliament that the prices of esseintial commodities in the country will remain tolerable during Ramadan.

"Commodity prices are currently at a tolerable level and the government is hopeful that the market will remain stable during the holy month of Ramadan," she said.

The leader of the House said this in the Jatiya Sangsad while replying to a question from Jatiya Party lawmaker Fakhrul Imam of Mymensingh-8 regarding price of essential commodities. Sheikh Hasina highlighted the various steps taken by the government to control the prices of essential commodities.

"A decision has been taken to sell TCB products at subsidised prices in two phases before the start of Ramadan and in the middle of the month for one crore low-income people in city corporation, district, upazila, pourasova and union parishad levels," she said.

She added "Accordingly, the TCB's products will be sold in line with the set criteria under the supervision of district and upazila administrations."

Besides, TCB's products are being sold on trucks in Dhaka South and North City Corporations as well as Barishal City Corporation, she added.

The Prime Minister said in the international market price of wheat has been increased by 60.72 percent while soyabin by 26.41 percent, palm crude oil by 35.71 percent and raw sugar by 8.25 percent alongside the hike of shipping cost by 14.5 percent.

But, the government has taken various measures, including the withdrawal of VAT on cooking oil, market monitoring and ensuring the ample supply of goods, to rein in spiraling prices, she said.

"As a result of all these initiatives, the prices are at a tolerable level. We hope that the prices of essential commodities will remain tolerable during the coming month of Ramadan," she said.