Tofail rules out price hike of essentials in Ramadan

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Monday promised effective measures to keep prices of essentials under control during Holy Ramadan, the month of fasting of the Muslims. ‘Today we have held talks with chairmen of several big business groups. They have assured us of keeping prices of essentials within the reach of common people not only during Ramadan but throughout the year,’ he told reporters after the meeting. He said essentials would be supplied on demand during Ramadan. ‘We have sufficient stock; there is no reason for price rise. [We] will rein the market at any rate during Ramadan,’ Tofail Ahmed said. ‘We would urge the importers and suppliers to ensure that people can buy essentials within their purchase power during Ramadan since their demands are moderate,’ he said. He asked the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh to be vigilant to prevent any artificial crisis of essentials, according to bdnews24.com.