In a move to control the soaring prices of essential commodities and bring relief to the public, the Dhaka District Administration has announced the establishment of ‘Public Markets’ in six different locations across the capital. These markets will be set up in Kamrangirchar’s Kudarghat Medical Mor, Mohammadpur, Gulshan, Mirpur, Badda, and Demra areas, with plans to expand further in the future.

This announcement was made during a discussion meeting at Kamrangirchar’s Kudarghat Medical Mor on Saturday by Dhaka’s District Commissioner Tanvir Ahmed. It is expected that the number of such markets will increase gradually, and special provisions will be made for consumers during Ramadan through these markets.

The initiative has been widely welcomed by the concerned parties, especially those in lower-income brackets, as it is seen as a major step toward supporting them. However, there have been calls to ensure that product supply, market security, and sufficient stock levels are maintained to ensure its success. During the meeting, Dhaka District Commissioner Tanvir Ahmed addressed a long-standing grievance of consumers regarding the increase in prices of products after they pass through several hands between the farmer and the end consumer. He explained that the middlemen’s role significantly increases prices, and this initiative aims to establish a direct connection between farmers and consumers to curb this practice.

The markets will be run to supply essential food items at fair prices, and will be supported by the Agriculture Department, Ministry of Commerce, and the Consumer Rights Protection Directorate. This initiative will be operated sustainably and is expected to play a major role in fulfilling the essential needs of Dhaka residents.

Present at the meeting were officials from the Ministry of Local Government, including Deputy Director Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, Additional District Commissioner for Development and Human Resource Management Shamiem Hussain, Senior Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Tanzil Parvez, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shariful Islam from Lalbagh Zone, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Amirul Islam of Keraniganj Police Station, representatives from the Food Directorate and Agricultural Marketing Directorate, student representatives, and local dignitaries.

It was shared that the prices of daily necessities have skyrocketed recently, pushing the prices beyond the reach of many consumers. Some unscrupulous businesses have been exploiting the situation by raising prices arbitrarily, making huge profits at the expense of consumers, and creating public dissatisfaction. By bringing products directly from producers and importers, this exploitation can be minimized, as seen in other districts where similar markets have already been successfully established.

In these Public Markets, products such as fish, meat, milk, eggs, and vegetables will be sold at affordable prices. Although initially set up in six locations, the markets will eventually expand to cover more areas. The market management will involve building infrastructure on government land, with the inclusion of local entrepreneurs, students, and unemployed youth to manage operations. Only retail sales will be permitted, and a fixed price list will be adhered to for all products. Buyers will pay digitally and receive a code, which they can use to collect the goods.

The markets, which will be managed under the supervision of the district administration, will source products at low prices from different regions of the country and sell them directly to consumers. Relevant government departments and organizations will assist with this initiative. According to sources from the district administration, local entrepreneurs, students, and the general public may be entrusted with responsibilities related to sales and transportation. The prices will be set after considering the purchase price, actual transportation costs, and a reasonable profit margin for the entrepreneurs. Additionally, farmers, ranchers, or producers will have the option to sell their products directly in these markets.

A software system will be developed to keep records and manage overall operations. This will enable the tracking of product prices, both at the point of purchase and sale, online.

While the residents of the target areas have expressed happiness about the initiative, some have raised concerns about whether the markets would continue operating in the long term. They have requested that all essential products be sold at affordable prices to ensure long-lasting benefits. There have also been questions regarding the establishment of a market in the upscale Gulshan area, often referred to as a location for the wealthy. Some critics have questioned why such an initiative was introduced in this area instead of focusing on more low-income neighborhoods.

Overall, the ‘Public Market’ initiative is seen as a positive development for Dhaka’s residents, especially those struggling with the rising cost of living. By addressing the concerns of middlemen’s influence on pricing and ensuring direct access to affordable goods, this initiative aims to bring significant change in the capital's economic landscape.