The government has asked the people not to go for panic buying as there would be no crisis in the supply of essential commodities during the month of Ramadan.
“We’ve enough food grains and essential commodities in the market. I would like to tell all so that none should go for panic-buying or purchase a large quantity of commodity at a time," PM’s Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah told reporters after a meeting on Sunday.
The meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s Office to review the supply situation of the essential goods prices of commodities, electricity supply and law and order during the Ramadan month, as well as the mass exodus during the Eid-ul Fitr.
The Principal Secretary chaired the meeting, while high officials from different ministries and agencies including senior secretaries of the commerce ministry and public security division attended it.
"According to available information received from different ministries, this year the stock of food grains is much higher than any time in the past. We’ve enough food grains in stock ahead of Ramadan, which is a matter of satisfaction for us,” said Tofazzel Hossain.
He said the authorities concerned were directed to ensure the proper supply chain of essential commodities during Ramadan.
He hoped that the price of sugar would decline during Ramadan as the government has already reduced duty and withdrawn tariffs on sugar import.
The import of sugar will be much higher ahead of Ramadan due to the measures taken by the government.
Besides, the open market sale (OMS) will be continued as usual, while the TCB will sell essential commodities including edible oil, sugar, rice, onion and chickpeas (chhola). The TCB will also sell dates in Dhaka city, he said.
Some 10 crore people will be benefited with the sale of essential commodities (at subsidised rates) under the two food programmes ahead of the Ramadan and the Eid-ul Fitr, he said.
Tofazzel said the government will take tough action against if anyone tries to hoard commodities and mounts public sufferings during the Ramadan.
Electricity supply to be normal:
The Principal Secretary said the electricity supply will be normal during Ramadan. The authorities concerned asked to ensure proper electricity supply during Iftar and Sehri as well as for irrigation after 11pm following an appropriate rationing system.
About mass exodus during the Eid-ul Fitr, he said the authorities were asked to ensure smooth and safe journey of the home-goers by identifying and solving problems after visiting the local spots.