Photo: Collected
The government won't change duty on any product until the Ramadan ends, said Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday. He made the remark while talking to reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat.
Replying to a question over the supply of essentials and prices during Ramadan, he said, "Gram, pulses, dates have already been imported. Soybeans have also become somewhat tolerable. If necessary, we will decide on soybeans again."
He stressed the need for market monitoring to keep prices of commodities at tolerable level saying that only the Consumers' Right Protection Act won't work. Asked whether duty will be imposed once onion is imported afresh, he replied, "We will no longer change any duty structure till Ramadan ends. Messages have been given."
The Finance Adviser said a special Open Market Sale (OMS) will start to keep the prices of rice at tolerable level as rice prices are soaring. He said, "We have kept an eye so that the prices of rice don't' shoot up due to the middleman, it's a major concern. "
The adviser said the Ministry of Food has been instructed to start importing rice from anywhere to boost stock.
Messenger/JRTarek
