Govt trying its best to check price hike of essentials: CA press wing

The government is trying its best to check the price hike of essential commodities, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today (18 November).

"We continue our efforts on how much the prices of the daily essentials can be reduced," he told a regular press briefing at the capital's Foreign Service Academy.  

Alam said the price of eggs has been reduced due to the government's efforts, while the prices of other essential goods are going downwards.

He said several media reports today say potato prices have climbed to Tk400, which means normal potatoes' are being sold at Tk400. This was a sporadic scenario, and the reports were misleading.

In response to a question, the press secretary said the government was very aware of the rights of minorities, and it ensured foolproof security for the minorities during the last Durga Puja.

Citing a report by police on the law and order situation, he said fewer crimes have been reported in the country in recent months than in the previous year, and the law and order situation is improving here.

Speaking about the ongoing crisis of seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University, Alam said the government continues talks with all concerned to this end as all problems could not be resolved overnight.

Urging the students of the seven colleges to become calm, he said the government hopes the issue will be resolved soon.

Responding to another question about forming the Media Reform Commission, the press secretary said a broad-based panel had been selected for the commission as its members have solid backgrounds.

"We hope they will be able to submit a good report," he added.

The government has formed an 11-member Media Reform Commission with veteran journalist Kamal Ahmed as its chief. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification to this end on Sunday (17 November).

Chief Adviser's Deputy press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were present at the press briefing.