16 recommendations of the task force formed for controlling commodity prices

The task force on ‘Review of Commodity Prices and Market Condition’ has made 16 recommendations to keep the market and commodity prices stable. The recommendations were presented at the first meeting of the committee on Monday (4 April), headed by Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, Tapan Kanti Ghosh.

Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said some of the 16 points have already been implemented. The task force is working to implement the rest.

The task force’s recommendations include:

1. Sea and land port authorities and customs stations will give the highest priority to the unloading of daily necessities during Ramadan.
2. BIWTC will give the highest priority to ferry crossings for transportation of daily necessities.
3. Necessary steps will be taken by the district and upazila administration, including the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, to ensure fair prices.
4. Intelligence agencies need to step up surveillance of those who create artificial crises and hoarders.
5. Assistance should be provided on a priority basis by the concerned district police for transportation of daily necessities.
6. Excess profits from wholesale to retail should be closely monitored.
7. Mills should be compelled to issue Supply Order (SO) by following Form ‘D’ of Essential Commodities Distribution and Distributor Recruitment Order-2011 and not to supply goods according to SOs issued without actual dealers.
8. It is necessary to ensure the payment of printed receipts (printed information including the name and address of the organisation) at all stages, from wholesale to retail, in the purchase and sale of edible oil.
9. The price of edible oil must be determined, properly displayed, and implemented at the mill gate, distributor, and consumer level.
10. Action must be taken in all the prevailing laws of the country against those who create stock and artificial crises.
11. The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission has to ensure that the quantity of crude oil imported by the edible oil refining mills, the refined quantity, and the quantity supplied to the distributors are consistent. Necessary information in this regard should be sent to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.
12. Relevant departments, agencies, and authorities will take the necessary steps for the implementation of articles 9 (1), 9 (2), 9 (3), 12 (1), and 12 (4) of the Essential Commodities Distribution and Distributor Recruitment Order-2011 and sections 38, 40 and 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.
13. The updated list of distributors appointed by the millers should be submitted to the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, district, and upazila administration.
14. Edible oil refineries will have to take appropriate action in case of violation of customary law.
15. Price list should be displayed at the retail level and receipts should be preserved at each step.
16. Supervision of mills should be intensified to prevent the recurrence of such activities in the future.

The task force was formed on 27 March with Minister of Commerce Tipu Munshi as advisor and Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh as Chairman.