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Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman. Photo: Collected
Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has issued a stern warning against market syndicates and hoarders, declaring that the government will take decisive action to smash business cartels across all sectors to ensure marginal farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday morning after inspecting wholesale jute and onion hubs in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, the minister emphasized that perpetrators engaging in artificial price manipulation or illegal hoarding face severe legal consequences.
"Market syndicates and hoarders will face the Special Powers Act. Under the Special Powers Act of 1974, the maximum penalty for hoarding is the death penalty. Therefore, those involved in hoarding should think twice before doing so," the Law Minister asserted.
Expressing deep concern over the exploitation of agricultural workers, Minister Asaduzzaman highlighted how farmers endure sweat and hard labor only to be held hostage by middleman syndicates upon entering markets. He noted that farmers were being forced to give away up to 45 kilograms of produce for every 40-kilogram maund due to illegal extortions by market agents, cleaners, and other groups.
"We will break this market syndicate. Strict directives have already been issued to all hats and markets across the country. Anyone violating these rules will face zero tolerance," he warned. Addressing traders threatening to boycott purchases if extortions are barred, the minister added, "I tell those traders to leave the market. Alternative traders will naturally step in to replace them."
Senior local leaders, including Upazila BNP President Abul Hossain and General Secretary Humayun Babar Firoz, accompanied the minister during the market inspection.
