Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government has decided to import onion by cargo planes in view of its abnormal price hike alongside launching an investigation if any plot caused the situation.

“There is a problem with onion in the country . . . But I don’t know why its price is jumping abnormally in our country,” she said while opening the 3rd national council of Awami Swechchhasebak League (ASL) at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday (Nov 16).

The premier, however, said the price of this essential cooking ingredient spiralled in many other countries but its abnormal price hike in Bangladesh required an investigation.

“So we’ve to see whether anybody is involved in any plot (regarding the onion),” she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, was addressing as the chief guest the council of Swechchhasebak League, an associate body of the ruling party.

She opened the triennial council of ASL by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons this morning.

“Whatever we advance and whatever the people stay well, ill efforts are made to create issues one after another and mislead the people,” the prime minister said.

“So, I will like to request all not to make efforts in this way. Rather the main reasons (behind price hike of onions) will have to be found out,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the price of onion is also high in the countries from where the government is importing this essential commodity. “We have started importing onion by cargo planes so that the problem doesn’t exist,” she said.

Urging all not to worry about the problem, the prime minister said onion has been loaded in the cargo planes and it will reach the country by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. “Don’t worry, we’ve taken that initiatives,” she added.

The prime minister said the price of onion rises due to weather as it cannot be preserved for a long time. “So, anybody who wants to earn some money by hoarding and increasing the price of onion, he or she will have to think that it’s a perishable commodity,” she said.

Mentioning that efforts are being made to dry the rotten onion, Sheikh Hasina said: “We’ve to see why and who are behind this (the price hike).”

Pointing out that the price of onion in India is also high, the premier said the people have to buy one-kilo onion at Rupees 100 or more there.

“The price in only one state of India is less as it is not allowing its onion to go to other states. The overall the price is high in India,” she said.

Vowing again that the ongoing drive against graft, terrorism and narcotics will continue, Sheikh Hasina said peace and security will have to be ensured in the life of the people of Bangladesh.

“The country’s development is possible if a peaceful environment exists,” she said, posing a question why money will be made by committing corruption and stealing?

The prime minister said the people of the country will no more tolerate leading luxurious life by anybody through earning money in a dishonest way like graft, extortion and terrorism.

“Eating ‘noon-bhat’ (rice with salt) in an honest way is good and a matter of honour and dignity than having biriyani (rich food) through the illegally-earned money,” she said.