Artificial price hike should be prevented in Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is only three months away and every year we find that the prices of essential commodities go up before the Ramadan causing immense sufferings to the common people. The government should take early precautions so that the unscrupulous traders cannot fleece the consumers and create an artificial crisis. In the western countries, the prices of many items actually go down before any major festival as the traders give big discount for the consumers. But prices go up in our country during such occasions, which is baffling. I think if the government takes early steps it will be able to spoil the evil designs of the unscrupulous traders to make a windfall gains at the cost of the consumers. Often the government responds late and the traders' syndicate utilises the opportunity and creates panic in the kitchen market. I hope this year we will see a change during the month of Ramadan which is a holy month for the Muslims. The law-enforcement agencies must identify the traders responsible for the price hike if it happens. It is high time we prevented unscrupulous traders from sucking the blood of the people.
Nadim javed
Tejgoan,  Dhaka.