Despite some efforts, the price of onions continues to be high. The government is considering imports but the only onion selling agency, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) faces legal complications in importing products.
To import through private sellers, traders have to be given facilities which need to be fixed.
For this, permission from the government is required. Commerce Minister, Tipu Munshi, is in London and expected to return to Dhaka on Monday (Oct 14). In his absence, the ministry cannot take any decision.
The issue was discussed several times on Sunday (Oct 13), but the commerce secretary did not announce any decision.
From Sept 13, Indian government fixed the price onions at $852 per ton which triggered market unrest and within 24 hours, the price rose from Tk 50 per kg to Tk 85.
Further on Sept 29, without any prior warning, India stopped its export of onions, which resulted in a further hike in price, to Tk 130 a kilo.
A few days ago, joint secretaries were sent to 8 divisional towns to work with district administrations and ensure the supply of onions.
They returned to Dhaka after a tour of districts and upazilas. They claimed that during their drives the price was lowered but later, syndicate traders raised it.
TCB chairman has said: “The average price of onions imported from Myanmar will be Tk 60 to Tk 62 at the highest and to this Tk 5 may be added as transport cost but there is no reason to add Tk 12 to Tk 15.”
The commerce ministry is thinking of sending officials to five districts in the country, including Faridpur, Pabna, Rajbari and Cox’s Bazar. They will check the supply of onions and take action against illegal hoarding.
Though the TCB has taken an initiative to import onions, due to complex procedures, it will take around one month to arrive. During such a long period, the onions can rot along the way.
The commerce secretary said through his personal secretary, Pranab Kumar Ghosh that “No concrete decision has been taken as yet; the commerce minister is not in the country and more will be known following the meeting on Monday (Oct 14).”
