DCs asked to ensure govt fixed price of potatoes at cold storage

The Ministry of Commerce has directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to deploy officials at all cold storages across the country to ensure the selling of potatoes at the government-fixed prices of Tk 26-27 per kilogram.

The DCs have also been asked to implement the government fixed price from tomorrow, according to a circular of the commerce ministry issued on Tuesday.

The government came up with the directives when the people were bearing the brunt of skyrocketing prices of all essential food items in the country.      

The circular is issued in accordance with the 3 (2) (B) of The Control of Essential Commodities Act-1956.

Under the provision of the act, the concerned deputy commissioners would take necessary steps to sell potatoes at government-fixed prices from the cold storage to keep the market stable.

In light of the act, the deputy commissioners would designate officials at the district and upazila levels to oversee the selling of potatoes at the cold storages.

The designated officials would also ensure providing vouchers to the buyers at the cold storage level.

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

However, it was found that the potatoes were not being sold according to the government-fixed price in the kitchen markets across the country.

Under the circumstances, the directive has been given to the deputy commissioners to keep the market price of potatoes under control.

Meanwhile, the government on Monday allowed the import of potatoes to meet the local demand.