Senior Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh on Sunday said the jump in the prices of onion by Tk 70-80 per kg overnight can’t be the work of any responsible businesspeople.
He was speaking as a special guest at a programme organized to celebrate ‘National VAT Day’ at Agargaon's NBR Building in the capital.
Ghose described the onion price hike as irresponsible behaviour of a section of businessmen.
“Businessmen should understand that business is for the people of the country. We don’t want them to do business without profit. But how can a product that costs Tk 120 a kg a day before sell at Tk 200 overnight,” he wondered.
There is no logic for the abnormal rise in the prices of onion just a day after India announced a ban on its export, he added.
Mentioning that the commerce ministry is mulling reducing the customs duty on daily necessities, the secretary said it has a direct relationship with the people. There is also a political factor.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
