DB begins market monitoring

Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police began its vigilance on wholesale markets in a bid to keeping stable the prices of essential commodities during the holy month of Ramadan.

In the past it was found that a section of traders were involved in raising the price-hike during Ramdan every year by crating artificial crisis.

The commerce minister already sought cooperation from business apex body FBCCI in keeping the market prices within the reach of the common people.

Sources said the home ministry has already asked intelligence agencies to strengthen their vigilance so that corrupt businessmen cannot get chance of increasing the prices of essentials creating any artificial crisis.

The sources said Detective Branch had prepared a list of so-called syndicates, who were allegedly engaged in hoarding to create artificial crisis in the past.

Besides, the DB also prepared a fresh list of extortionists who may engage in collecting tolls from commodity-laden trucks on the eve of Ramadan.

Deputy commissioner of DB (South) Monirul Islam said there was a common tendency of a section of corrupt traders to create artificial crises during Ramdan to earn quick money as the demand of essential commodities increases in this month.

'We've already started market monitoring prior to Ramadan so that nobody dares to hoard essential items', Monirul said.

He said the ground work for monitoring has been completed. 'We will intensify our vigilance in a more organised and planned way to keep the prices of essential commodities stable alongside the initiatives taken by other government machineries,' he said.

Monirul said the DB had prepared a list of black marketers. 'We are collecting information secretly. We are also updating last year's list of extortionists who were engaged in collecting tolls from goods-laden trucks.'

Deputy commissioner of DB (North) Mahbubur Rahman said the DB had been making a list of business syndicate which might try to increase prices of essentials during Ramadan.

He expressed hope that the corrupt traders did not dare to go for hoarding goods amid tight vigilance.

Source : New Age