Students from the Anti-Discrimination Movement have launched protests against the rising market prices in Bangladesh, demanding the resignation of three members of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, including acting chairman Salma Akhtar. On Monday, students from the University of Dhaka and several private universities gathered at the commission's Eskaton office, but authorities had locked the gates in anticipation of their protest. Today, they held another rally at Burak Tower in the capital, expressing dissatisfaction with previous discussions on price control. Magura residents in distress as prices of daily essentials skyrocket The protesters accuse the commission of failing to control market syndicates, which has led to soaring prices and raised concerns about the government's credibility. Farhan Dinar, a student representative, expressed frustration over the lack of engagement from the commission, saying they would continue their protests until a resolution is reached. As the protests escalated, Farida Yasmin, the adviser on fisheries and livestock, summoned seven student representatives to the ministry for further discussions. The outcome of the meeting is yet to be announced.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday said that it’s possible to give 50 to 60 per cent money back to the cheated clients of the Destiny Group and Jubok by selling the assets of the two companies which collapsed amid widespread fraud. “To my consideration, the cheated clients can get up to 50 to 60 per cent of the money back…. But the issue remains pending with the court for settlement”, he said while addressing a workshop organized by the Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) for the members of Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at the BCC office in the city. The BCC organized the event to discuss the issues for creating a fair competition environment in the market through implementation of the Competition Law. Tipu said that he discussed the issue with the law minister who informed him that the law ministry has been working on how to compensate the Destiny and Jubok clients. As per the estimation by different government bodies, Destiny and Jubok have about Tk 7,000 crore assets.

President Abdul Hamid on Thursday asked Bangladesh Competition Commission to protect the e-commerce customers from fraudulence.     The President made the call when a delegation of the commission led by Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi  presented the annual report of the commission for FY2020-2021 to the President at Bangabhaban. He said the commission will have to find effective ways to curb fraudulence with consumers in the growing digital business in the country. Read: President Hamid urges ACC to go hard after the corrupt people Deputy Press Secretary to the President Munshi Jalal Uddin told UNB that Chairman of the Commission Mofizul Islam briefed the President about its activities. Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and member of the commission GM Saleh Uddin, AFM Manzoor Qadir, and Nasrin Begum were present during meeting. Terming e-commerce as a promising sector, the President said everyone should be careful so that this sector does not stumble at the beginning due to some dishonest traders. Read: President Hamid calls for boosting ICT skills of judges He called upon the authorities concerned to crack down on those who work against the interests of the customers. The President said that the Competition Commission should take steps so the consumers get quality products at reasonable prices as well as protect the interests of traders.