The New Nation - Internet Edition

Most Shamsun Naher, Rajshahi

Members of Joint Forces(JF) at an opinion sharing meeting aiming at controlling prices of essential commodities' with the local elites held here at the auditorium of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Thursday afternoon have mentioned, the country has been spinning into a dishonest circle, that is why the prices of essential commodities could not be kept under control. They further said, the power of JF was very limited and they(JF) had started the market operation' very recently and they were never at the depth of the problems that is why it was impossible for them to control the market price without the cooperation from all quarters.

The JF members also blamed the role of media for the unstable market price but the journalists at the function upheld their logic against the blame and explained there was no truth in the words' media created'.

The JF officials discussed elaborately and openly with the trade leaders including the importers, bank executives, media and local businessmen about the problems of keeping the market price of essential commodities under control. The importers and traders, however, pledged to try their best to keep the price of essential commodities under control. The importers of Rajshahi mentioned that they are still facing a huge problem in opening of LCs from the state-owned banks. They further said, an importer has to open an LC for a minimum amount of US$ 505 for importing of one metric tonne of rice whereas the exporters in India sent rice worth US$ 425 and rest of security money of US$ 70 is returned by the Indian exporters but due to banking and official litigation, it takes a long time to get the money back. As a result, the importers have to invest a huge amount of money for importing rice and other commodities.

The imprters said, as a result of unatuaral delay in getting back the security money, the price of imported goods increased naturally and often the importers have to depend on 'hoondi traders' to bring back the money.

Shahidullah Sharif, an importer of rice at Sona Masjid land port, mentioned, he had opened an LC for importing of 6,000 metric tonnes of rice from India in last December. He has already imported 3,000 metric tonnes and he has taka six crore 30 lakh left with the Indian exporters which would take a long time to get back through proper channel.

The importers further informed, there should be the system of Preshipment Inspection (PSI) so that the importers are not cheated by the exporters and mentioned that often it is seen that low grade commodities like rice, wheat, etc. are sent by the exporters as against the sample submitted.

In case of mandatory insurance, the importers said, there should not be mandatory insurance for the importers for land port transport which is only a few metre from one border to another.

Presided over by Hasen Ali, President of RCCI, the meeting was attended and spoke among others by Abu Hena Md. Razee Hassan, General Manager, Bangladesh Bank, Rajshahi, Major Kawser Ahmed, second-in-command of the Task Force, Major Kazi Mahmudunnabi, G, of RAB-5, Rajshahi, Major Sayed Golam Wadud, second in command, 10 Rifle Battalion, Rajshahi, Binoy Kumar Sikder, Manager, National Bank, Abrar Hossain, Manager, Jamuna Bank Limited, SM Zahedul Karim, ADC( General), Rajshahi, Lt. Munim Ferdous, Mustafizur Rahman Saodagar, Director, RCCI, Shahidullah Shelu, Khandker Hafizur Rahman, Kamal Uddin, Khandker Mainul Islam, Saidur Rahman Pintu, Romel and Nazrul Islam.