The spike in prices coincided with the general elections, prompting the newly re-elected Awami League government to take immediate action. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself issued stern warnings against price gouging, threatening imprisonment for traders caught hoarding, especially rice, during mobile court operations. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, retaining his position in Hasina’s cabinet, attributed the price hike to traders exploiting the government’s election-focused diversion to inflate rice prices. He gave the millers, merchants and wholesalers four days to normalise the situation in a meeting on Jan 17. Minister Sadhan and Food Secretary Ismail Hossain did not take phone calls for comments.

Source: bd News24 February 14, 2024 21:57 UTC