The Commerce Ministry on Tuesday directed deputy commissioners to ensure sale of potatoes at the price set by the government (Tk 26-27 per kg) at the cold storage level with the presence of a nominated officer.

Deputy commissioners have also been asked to implement the order from tomorrow (November 1, 2023).

Read: Record jump in prices of onion, potatoes, and vegetables: CAB blames syndicated business

The Commerce Ministry issued a letter in this regard on Monday to all the deputy commissioners.

“Traders are selling potatoes at prices higher than that set by the government – at the cold storage and retail levels. In order to stabilize the market in public interest, deputy commissioners will take necessary measures to sell potatoes from the cold storages under their supervision on an emergency basis under section 3 (2) (e) of the Control of Essential Commodities Act-1956,” the letter reads.

“In this case, the deputy commissioners will assign the responsibility of supervising one or more storage to an appropriate officer at the district and upazila level. In the presence of the officer in charge, the government will sell potatoes at the fixed price,” it said.

Read: Govt-fixed prices of onions, potatoes and eggs not executed yet

Earlier, On September 14, the government fixed the price of potatoes at Tk 26-27 per kg at the cold storage level and Tk 35-36 per kg at the retail level.

But potatoes are not being sold at the price fixed by the government at any level.

Read: Cabinet Committee ‘concerned’ over commodity prices  

On Monday, Vice-President of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) SM Nazer Hossain said that the prices of onions, potatoes, and vegetables are going beyond the control of the government, and syndicates are making hefty profits through hiking the prices of the essential goods.

Though the government said there is enough stock of onions and potatoes, a group of dishonesttraders is hiking the prices of the essential goods, blaming the price hike in India, he said.