After the demand of the traders to stop the extortion , this time the Minister of Commerce Tipu Munshi asked the journalists where he was and who was involved in the extortion. Responding to a question from reporters, the minister said, “You give the list, I will inform the home minister. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
He wanted this list while talking to the media during his visit to Karwan Bazaar in the capital on Sunday, the first day of Ramadan. The Commerce Minister came to Karwan Bazaar today as part of Ramadan market supervision. During this time he talked to wholesale and retail traders. He looked around the market and saw the price of daily commodities.
The FBCCI, the apex body of traders, has demanded that the prices of daily commodities be reduced if extortion is reduced. Asked by reporters about the traders’ demand, the Commerce Minister said, “I have a special request to you, tell me at what points extortion takes place.” I will report the matter to the Home Minister. I will give you my phone number. Let me know. Besides, I will try to sit in a meeting with the Home Minister this week. So that extortion can be stopped completely.
At an exchange meeting of the FBCCI on Saturday, the traders alleged that the police on the roads and highways and influential people in the raw market were involved in ‘secret’ extortion. Traders claim that if these extortions are reduced, the prices of daily commodities will also come down.
Meanwhile, while inspecting the caravan market, the Commerce Minister remarked that there should be corporate management to control the market. He said it was not the job of the commerce minister to visit the market every day. If I spend three hours a day in the market, how will I achieve the billion dollar export target I set?
The Commerce Minister further said, “The National Department of Consumer Protection has been asked to monitor the market regularly. According to the media yesterday, the prices of other items have come down a bit but the prices of fruits have gone up. Traders all over the world give discounts during festivals. In the month of Ramadan, where people will be moderate, if we take the opportunity, then God will not forgive us.
Addressing the traders during the visit, the Commerce Minister said, “Every shop should have a price list. Saw in most stores. But I did not see some stores. If there is no price list in the store, action will be taken. We do not want to interfere in the market unless special circumstances arise. Daily market control is not our job.
The Commerce Minister expressed satisfaction over the condition of the wholesale market. However, he said prices have risen slightly in the retail market. According to him, there may be some differences as there are millions of retailers in the country.
