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Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has warned traders and market syndicates involved in hoarding that they could face severe punishment, including the death penalty, as the government steps up efforts to curb artificial shortages and manipulation of essential commodity markets.
The minister said the government would enforce the Special Powers Act against individuals and syndicates found involved in hoarding and creating artificial crises in the market.
“Those involved in hoarding should think carefully before doing so,” he warned, urging traders to refrain from activities that could disrupt normal market supply and push up prices for consumers.
He made the remarks on Saturday while inspecting wholesale jute and onion markets and arat (wholesale trading centres) in Shailkupa of Jhenaidah.
During the visit, the minister inspected the supply and trading situation and spoke with traders, wholesalers and other market stakeholders about prevailing prices, stocks and market conditions.
He warned that the government would not tolerate attempts by organised groups to manipulate the supply of essential commodities for excessive profits. Such practices, he said, not only cause hardship to consumers but also undermine market stability and create unnecessary pressure on the broader economy.
The warning comes amid continued public concern over fluctuations in the prices of essential commodities. Hoarding and artificial supply restrictions have frequently been blamed for sudden price increases, particularly when demand rises or supplies face seasonal or logistical disruptions.
The government has been under pressure to ensure adequate supplies of essential goods and prevent market manipulation. Enforcement agencies and market monitoring authorities have been conducting inspections and taking action against traders accused of violating laws relating to hoarding, price manipulation and illegal stockpiling.
The minister’s reference to the Special Powers Act signals a tougher stance against organised market manipulation. The law provides for stringent measures against certain activities considered harmful to the country’s economic and public interest.
As part of the government’s efforts, authorities are expected to strengthen monitoring of wholesale markets and arats, where large quantities of agricultural commodities are traded before reaching retail markets.
The minister’s visit to Shailkupa also provided an opportunity to assess the condition of the jute and onion markets at the wholesale level and hear directly from traders about supply and trading conditions.
He urged traders to conduct business fairly and ensure that commodities reach consumers through normal market channels.
The government, he said, would take action against anyone attempting to exploit market conditions at the expense of consumers.
The warning is particularly significant because onions and other essential agricultural commodities are highly sensitive to supply disruptions and speculative trading. Any artificial restriction of supply can quickly translate into higher retail prices, affecting low- and middle-income households most severely.
The minister’s remarks indicate that the government intends to combine market monitoring with tougher legal action to deter hoarding and syndication, while ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential commodities across the country.