Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Collected
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed relevant authorities to take legal action, including imprisoning market manipulators, as part of measures to manage the country's commodity prices.
Hasina, the ruling Awami League's president, issued the order while chairing the party's working committee meeting on Monday (22 January) evening at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
"The price increase for rice is exceptional and deliberate during the peak season. We will take harsh action, including sending market manipulators to jail if necessary," she said.
The prime minister issued the warning as market prices for many goods, including rice, soared quickly after the 12th legislative election on January 7.
She added that immediately before the national election, the country's readymade garment workers took to the streets to demand higher salaries.
"The movement of readymade garment workers was also premeditated," the prime minister stated.
Earlier on 15 January, Sheikh Hasina, during the first cabinet meeting of the new government, directed all concerned to take steps to check the price hike of essential commodities.
In accordance with the directive, the food ministry subsequently formed mobile courts and deployed them across the country to make the government’s efforts successful.
Messenger/Sun Yath
