Dhaka: Mentioning that the government has stock of essentials several times more than the demand for Ramadan, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Sunday said their supply and prices will remain normal during the month of fasting.

‘The supply, stock and the prices of daily essentials will remain normal during Ramadan. There’s nothing for the traders and consumers to be panicked,’ he said at a review meeting on the supply and prices of the commodities ahead of Ramadan at the Secretariat.

Tofail said all kinds of commodities, including rice, edible oil, gram, sugar, onion, garlic and ginger, are being imported from abroad alongside their local production.

He urged the traders not to create any artificial crisis of daily essentials during the fasting month, and instead keep the prices normal.

Citing a directive of the Roads and Highways Department that a vehicle cannot carry over 13 tonnes of goods which was earlier 20 tonnes, the business leaders told the meeting that this has compelled them to increase the prices as they have to pay more for carrying goods.

In reply, the Commerce Minister said he would discuss the matter with the authorities concerned.

Among others, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Meghna Group Chairman Mostafa Kamal were present at the meeting.