DCs asked to ensure potato sale at fixed price

The commerce ministry has directed the deputy commissioners of the concerned districts to ensure the presence of designated officials while selling potatoes at government fixed prices (per kg Tk 26-27) at the cold-storage level across the country.

The deputy commissioners have been asked to comply with this directive from Wednesday, according to a circular issued from the ministry on Tuesday.

The circular has been issued in accordance with the 3 (2) (B) of The Control of Essential Commodities Act-1956.Under this provision of the act, the concerned deputy commissioners would take necessary steps to sell potatoes at government fixed prices from the cold storages under the jurisdiction of their respective districts in order to keep the market of potatoes stable.

In this regard, the deputy commissioners would designate a suitable official at district and upazila level to oversee the selling operations of potatoes at the cold storages at government fixed prices.

The designated officials would also ensure providing vouchers to the buyers at cold storage level.

Earlier on 14 September, the government fixed the price of potatoes at Tk 26-27 per kg at cold-storage level while at Tk 35-36 per kg at retail level.

But, it was found that the potatoes were not being sold at the kitchen markets at government fixed prices.

Under the circumstances, such a directive has been given to the deputy commissioners to keep the market price of potatoes stable.