Staff Correspondent:

The government has imported 3.89 lakh tonnes of soybean oil, against the actual demand of three lakh tonnes for the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on 1 or 2 March, depending on the moon sighting.

Mohammad Alim Akhtar Khan, director general of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said this while addressing a press conference held at his office in Dhaka on Thursday.

There will be no shortage of soybean oil during Ramadan as the government has already undertaken necessary measures so that the countrymen can observe the holy month of fasting smoothly, he said.

He said the authorities have already doubled the number of market monitoring teams to help maintain market stability.

He also expressed hope that the prices will be under control as there will be sufficient import and supply of daily commodities including chickpeas, dates and sugar ahead of Ramadan.

Khan also expressed his disappointment over the artificial crisis of soybean oil in the market despite having an adequate supply and held a section of dishonest traders responsible for the situation.

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has undertaken legal measures against them and it will continue during the holy month, he said, calling upon the businessmen to refrain from dishonest practices upholding the spirit of the month.