Don\\\'t raise essentials\\\' prices in Ramadan

CHITTAGONG, May 27: The Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) mayor said businessmen should shun the malpractice of making exorbitant profits by raising prices of essential commodities during the month of Ramadan.

Seeking cooperation of importers, traders and shopkeepers, AZM Nasir Uddin said it is not possible only for CCC or the district administration to keep the essentials' prices stable.

He was speaking at a meeting on regular supply of consumer goods in the market during the upcoming Ramadan at Chittagong Circuit House on Wednesday.

Chittagong deputy commissioner (DC) Mesbah Uddin presided over the programme.

It was addressed by, among others, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Mahbubul Alam, BSM Group chairman Abul Bashar Chowdhury, shop owners association leaders, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) leaders, senior officials of CMP and district police, and BGB deputy commander.

The CCCI president said the traders should develop a mindset for honest business practices.

They should not create any artificial crisis of commodities in the market, and make windfall profits by exploiting people's religious sentiment, he added.

Traders said import of essential goods is satisfactory and a huge quantity of these items is in the pipeline. So there is no possibility of any commodity's crisis during the holy month.

Participants in the meeting also said voices have been raised against adulteration of various goods, especially food items. Those found guilty in doing it would be severely dealt with, they hoped.

The DC urged all to help keep prices of essential commodities static during the Ramadan.