Onion-laden planes to land in a day or two, says PM Hasina

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the government wants to see whether there is any conspiracy behind the sudden surge in onion price in the country.
"Onion price is a problem right now…this is right that onion price has surged in different countries, but I don’t know why this price soared abnormally in our country. We want to see if anyone is involved in this conspiracy," she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the 3rd national council of Awami Swechchhasebak League, an associate body of ruling Awami League, in the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan.

A total of 1,975 councillors and around 18,000 delegates joined the council while around 15,000 guests were present, according to organisers.

Swechchhasebak League’s councillors from across the country will pick their new leadership in the council.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken initiatives to import onion through cargo planes to bring down its price. "To minimise the problem, we’re importing onion through cargo planes. The onion-laden planes will land in the country either tomorrow or day after tomorrow," she said.

It is natural that the production of a crop may increase or decrease due to weather, she said adding that there might be some people who want to make quick buck by raising the onion price through hoarding. "But they’ve to think that onion cannot be preserved for a long time…these might get perished."

Hasina said there are efforts to dry the perished onion. "Then why are you giving this pain to people? We’ve to see who’re re the people behind this."

The prime minister alleged that when the country is advancing and people are living in peace, there are some vested quarters who are trying to confuse people by creating issues. "I’ll urge people not to get confused and find out the real reason."

She said the onion price in India is also very high and it is currently is selling there at Tk 100. "But there’s one state from where onion export is not allowed…the onion price in that state is lower."

The prime minister said the people of the country have to be aware that killers, corrupt, and money-launderers must not be in power again.

"Their return to power means the sufferings of people, putting the country on the verge of destruction, resumption of militancy and terrorism, as they’re involved in militancy and terrorism," she said.

Stressing the importance of maintaining the pace of advancement, Hasina said the government wants to eradicate drugs, terrorism and corruption, and the drive against these social menaces will continue.

"Because we’ve to ensure peace and security for the people of Bangladesh and if the peaceful atmosphere prevails in the country it is possible to develop the country, we want that peaceful environment," she said.

The prime minister questioned why one has to earn money through corruption and stealing. "The people of the country won’t tolerate living a lavish life with a show-off attitude with the money earned through terrorist acts, extortion, corruption and dishonest way."

She said it is much dignified to eat rice and salt with the money earned through honest way rather than taking Biriyani with ill-gotten money.

The prime minister said the government has been implementing massive programmes to ensure development and welfare of the country and its people in such a way that no one is left behind.

Criticising BNP’s founder Zia and Khaleda Zia, the prime minister said Zia started the politics of killing and destroyed the spirit of the war of liberation, while Khaleda Zia established terrorism and militancy in the country.

They also rewarded killers of father the nation, four national leaders and war criminals making them ministers, members of parliament and giving them blood spattered national flags, she regretted.

Sheikh Hasina said, also the chief of ruling Awami League, called upon leaders and workers of Swechhashebok League to work with the mentality of serving people and strengthen the organisation to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the council through hoisting the national flag with the national anthem playing. Later, she released pigeons and balloons. She also witnessed a colourful cultural programme.