Editorial
BDR in trade?
Let the normal market forces take charge
The government in its anxiety to contain the price spiral has been employing all kinds of methods. Among them was opening of sale centres under the supervision of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) at some areas in the capital and other places. These centres made commodities available at prices lower than that offered in conventional markets. In a further development, BDR has given a proposal to the government to import and distribute essential commodities in order to keep the prices under control during the month of Ramadan. The organisation has also expressed its interest in setting up retail sale centres under its direct supervision. And the caretaker government is learnt to have taken the proposal under consideration in a recent high profile meeting.While we appreciate the caretaker government's concern at the galloping price, we at the same time cannot but say that BDR's proposal involvement is much more complex than selling of goods through some designated outlets in the city. BDR being a law and order agency is mandated to keep vigil at the borders. Ideally, such a force can step in on a temporary basis. But, when engaged in civilian duties on a long-term basis, questions of discipline, morality and order start to crop up. Such involvement would naturally be a major distraction by all means for a disciplined force. This remains to be said that there are two proven ways to ensure normal supply and regulate the market of essential commodities. First, the vicious grip of the syndicate consisting of a few business houses has to be broken; and secondly, small and new traders have to be given credit and other incentives to step in. In hardly needs emphasising that if a law and order agency like BDR is allowed too much space in trading sector, it would send negative signals to the professional traders. Such measure cannot be sustained for long hence normal marketing forces will have to be allowed free play to attain a long-term solution. Here we may even suggest that the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh be revived with required logistics and manpower support so that it may import and supply essential goods to maintain the needed stability. While these options are very much available, we believe the BDR proposal is a hasty one which must be rethought.
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