News Flash
SANGSAD BHABAN, April 20, 2026 (BSS)-Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said the government has strengthened regular market monitoring to reduce the price gap between wholesale and retail markets.
He said the Ministry of Commerce has been implementing various measures to control unscrupulous section from manipulating the market.
“As part of the efforts, special task forces have been formed at district level to conduct regular market monitoring and drives,” he said.
The minister said this while replying to a written question from opposition member Mohammed Kamal Hossain (Dhaka-5) in the House today.
He said nationwide drives are being conducted regularly by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection against overpricing, hoarding and fraudulent practices.
“Legal actions, including imposing fines and punitive measures, are being taken against those charging unjustifiably high prices in the retail market,” he added.
Four drives are conducted daily by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and two more by the Ministry of Commerce in Dhaka.
If any abnormal price gap is detected, immediate action is being taken through mobile courts, task forces and relevant agencies, he said.
Muktadir added that district-level task forces are consistently monitoring markets to ensure reasonable pricing and minimize the disparity between wholesale and retail prices.
The minister also said the Bangladesh Competition Commission remains active in preventing anti-competitive practices such as syndicates, cartels and collusive price-fixing, aiming to ensure fair competition in the market.
Highlighting steps taken to improve supply and import, he said the government is facilitating imports, resolving banking complexities and ensuring smooth supply chains to control price hikes caused by global market trends, exchange rate fluctuations and rising transportation costs.
He added that the government is directly intervening in the market through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) by selling essential commodities at subsidized prices. Under this programme, rice, soybean oil, sugar and lentils are being supplied to low-income groups.
The minister said the government will continue its efforts to maintain market stability and keep essential commodity prices within the purchase capacity of the common people.
