Traders at the wholesale hub of Karwan Bazar in the city urged the government to reconsider its plan to relocate the market to Amin Bazar.
They also demanded an intensified surveillance over manufacturers and producers rather than focusing solely on Karwan Bazar-based retailers and wholesalers.
The traders also criticised the Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection (DNCRP) for its annual crackdown mainly on the retailers and wholesalers of Karwan Bazar in the holy month.
They put forward their demand at a meeting organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in collaboration with the DNCRP and representatives from the Islamia Shanti Committee at Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market, a platform of traders there.
Business leader Md Omar Faruque questioned the government's monitoring of essential supplies like oil and sugar, which often run short particularly in the fasting month.
He pointed out a discrimination that the authorities focus more on the retailers for price volatility while other stakeholders like refiners and importers remain unchecked.
He expressed concerns over the arbitrary fines imposed, often in the presence of the media, without clarity on whether the trader is genuinely culpable for the price hikes.
In response, Abdul Jabbar Mandal, Assistant Director of DNCRP, defended that they are not imposing fines arbitrarily, and enforcing the compliance per regulations.
He said the traders will have to operate within the existing laws and rules to avoid penalties.
FBCCI senior vice president Md Amin Helaly said that there is an urgent need for unity among businessmen to combat dishonest practices and ensure a level-playing field for all traders.
Lokman Hossain, general secretary of Islamia Shanti Samiti, said Amin Bazar lacks adequate infrastructure and entry points compared to that of Karwan Bazar.
He said that more than 10,000 traders are doing business at Karwan Bazar with 16 entry points compared to only two at Amin Bazar.
He demanded not to dismantle Karwan Bazar without providing suitable alternatives for hundreds of traders.
However, the FBCCI expressed its concern over the price volatility and sought cooperation from the market committees to identify and address irregularities caused by unscrupulous traders.
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