PM expects onion-loaded planes to reach in next 2 days
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said onion-loaded cargo planes were expected to reach the country in next one or two days to contain its abnormal price hike while the government planned as well to review what actually caused the situation.
“I expect the cargo planes carrying onions to reach the country by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” she said while opening the 3rd national council of Awami Swechchhasebak League at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
The premier said a situation was created with onion in the country “but I don’t know why its price is jumping abnormally”.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. She, however, said the price of this essential cooking ingredient spiralled in many other countries but its abnormal price hike in Bangladesh required to be examined.
“So, we’ve to see whether anybody is involved in any plot (regarding the opinion),” the premier said.
The prime minister was addressing as the chief guest the inaugural function of the council of Awami Swechchhasebak League , the ruling Awami League’s volunteer wing after opening the event by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons.
Sheikh Hasina, who also chairs the Awami League, regretted that whatever advancement the country made and what extent the people stay well “ill efforts are made to create issues one after another with an intention to mislead people”.
The premier said the price of onion was now also high in countries from where the government was importing this essential commodity.
“We have started importing onion by cargo planes so that the problem doesn’t exist,” she said.
The prime minister said being a perishable item onion could not be preserved for a long time which could be one of the causes for its price spiral.
“So, anybody who wants to earn some money by hoarding and increasing the price of onion, he or she will have to think that it’s a perishable commodity,” she said.
Mentioning that efforts are being made to dry the rotten onion, Sheikh Hasina said: “We’ve to see why and who are behind this (the price hike).”
Pointing out that the price of onion in India is also high, the premier said the people have to buy one kilo onion at Rupees 100 or more there.
“The price in only one state of India is less as it is not allowing its onion to go to other states. The overall the price is high in India,” she said.
Vowing again that the ongoing drive against graft, terrorism and narcotics will continue, Sheikh Hasina said peace and security will have to be ensured in the life of the people of Bangladesh.
“The country’s development is possible if a peaceful environment exists,” she said, posing a question why money will be made by committing corruption and stealing?
The prime minister said the people of the country will no more tolerate leading luxurious life by anybody through earning money in a dishonest way like graft, extortion and terrorism.
“Eating ‘noon-bhat’ (rice with salt) in an honest way is good and a matter of honour and dignity than having biriyani (rich food) through the illegally-earned money,” she said.
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