Essential commodities act to be revised soon: Titu

State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu on Monday said the government will revise the 'Essential Commodities Act, 1956' soon to better suit contemporary needs.

"The list of essential commodities included in the act will also be revised," he said in response to a proposal of deputy commissioners at the Ministry of Commerce session during the second day of the ongoing Deputy Commissioners' Conference in the city.

Titu said deputy commissioners have been instructed to ensure the supply of essential products to one crore families by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) in a fair and well-organised manner.

They were also directed to update this list of one crore families within two months, he added.

When asked about the possibility of any imminent price hike, the state minister assured that consumers will not be faced with any more new price hikes.

"Edible oil will be sold at Taka 163 per liter by implementing the Taka 10 price cut ordered recently," Titu said, adding that he and other concerned officials will monitor the market.

He said district administrators have also been instructed to increase market surveillance, especially in Narayanganj, where edible oil is produced.

At the same time, the deputy commissioners have been directed to ensure that no obstruction is created anywhere in the value chain.

Regarding importing onion from India, Titu said a letter regarding onion imports from India to Bangladesh was received.

"The embassy will inform us when and how they will start sending the goods. We hope to be informed about it today," he said, stressing it is confirmed that onions and sugar will arrive from India before Ramadan.