MEHERPUR, Apr 9: The Meherpur branch of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) formed a human chain at Gangni Bazaar on Wednesday to protest the disappearance of edible oil from the market, allegedly due to manipulation by unscrupulous traders.
Although the sale of open (loose) edible oil is banned, the market remains flooded with it. Unscrupulous traders are restricting the supply of bottled oil to push open oil instead, forcing consumers to pay extra. This practice poses serious health risks to the public. Despite the long-standing violation of the law, no effective steps have been taken to stop the sale of open edible oil. The authorities' silence, the CAB leaders said, is nothing but a mockery of consumers.
The event was presided over by CAB Meherpur District Branch President Rafiq-ul-Alam, while General Secretary Majedul Haque Manik presented the theme. The programme was moderated by Gangni Upazila CAB President Touhid-ud-Daula Reza.
Notable speakers expressing solidarity with the protest included Amirul Islam, Acting Principal of Gangni Women's Degree College; Mostafizur Rahman Bablu, Headmaster of Gangni Pilot Secondary School and College; Journalist Amirul Islam Oldam; and Mowlana Abu Said, Principal of Al Jamiatus Siddiqia Madrasa. People from various classes and professions joined the human chain and demanded the immediate normalisation of bottled edible oil supply in the market, along with effective measures to stop the sale of open oil.
At the event, the CAB president issued a set of demands to the government, including: ensuring the sale of edible oil at fixed prices; identifying syndicates active in the soya bean oil market and ensuring exemplary punishment for offenders; strengthening regular and effective market monitoring and operations; taking strict legal action against hoarding and the creation of artificial crises; immediately stopping the storage and sale of oil in non-food-grade drums; and making the use of food-grade containers mandatory for edible oil.
