Govt to provide essential items to 1cr people at affordable price during Ramadan: Tipu

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi Sunday said that the government would provide six essential items to some one crore poor people of the country during the ensuing month of Ramadan. These six items are onion, edible oil, lentil, sugar, dates and chickpeas.

The Commerce Minister said this after emerging from the weekly Cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat today. He said they have earlier planned to provide essential items to some 50 lakh people at an affordable price during the month of Ramadan.

"Such facility will be provided to that section of people who have earlier received Taka 2,500 cash support from the Prime Minister. But, our Prime Minister has directed to provide such facility to some one crore people instead of 50 lakh people," he added.

The Commerce Minister informed that the government had earlier prepared the list for providing cash support to the poor and helpless people who were affected from the pandemic. "That list will be utilized this time for providing them with essential items at an affordable price," he added.

Responding to a question, Tipu said that the edible oil price has been adjusted in the local market due to the price hike in international market and also for cost hike in container freight fare.

But, he, however, cautioned that action would be taken if anyone sells edible oil at a price higher than the price fixed by the Ministry of Commerce. The government has fixed the maximum retail price of bottled edible oil at Taka 168 per liter.