Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman has called on traders to ensure the fair pricing of onions, urging them not to exceed Tk125 per kilogram.
During a meeting with city traders and importers, the deputy commissioner emphasized the need for transparency and warned that goods found in warehouses without proper documentation would be seized, extending this scrutiny to other commodities like sugar.
Fakhruzzaman highlighted the importance of proper listings and documentation, announcing plans to compile information on all warehouses in Chattogram’s Chaktai, Khatunganj, and Pahartali areas. The authorities intend to issue a public notification to validate the accuracy of the information provided by traders.
Regardless of the quantity in a warehouse, the deputy commissioner asserted that receipts would be required, and any goods found without proper documentation would be auctioned to the public at a fair price. Responding to concerns about a sudden increase in onion prices, traders in Khatunganj explained that such fluctuations were often influenced by importers during crises.
They pointed out that many involved in the onion trade were commission agents and hawkers who earned commissions per kilogram of onions sold. Additionally, they revealed that the onion market was heavily influenced by border-centric factors such as decisions made at Benapole, Bhomra, and Sona Masjid. The traders suggested that the government could break this syndicate by taking action against those controlling businesses at the border.
In response, Deputy Commissioner Fakhruzzaman assured that the authorities would communicate with the Ministry of Commerce to address the issues related to businesses at the border. He also appealed to residents of the port city to exhibit patience, discouraging bulk purchases due to price increases, and encouraged a more stable market environment.
Md Ahid Siraj Chowdhury Swapan, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, echoed the commitment of the business community to maintain ethical practices, disavowing responsibility for the actions of a few individuals tarnishing the sector’s reputation.
