Stemming price spiral

Here our position is clear that if lack of inter-ministerial coordination is the major factor behind the spiral then it is for him as member of the cabinet to ensure it. If his cabinet colleagues are not sufficiently forthcoming then he should take it up with the Prime Minister for the latter's intervention so as to make sure that effective coordination is achieved.

Under no circumstances, can we accept the commerce minister not taking responsibility on his shoulders with a hands-on proactive policy in dealing with the matter. We also regretfully find his making light of the role of a so called syndicate in manipulating market prices. Is it because a genuine search might reveal skeletons from the BNP's cupboards?

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He also brings in the issues of hartal, barricade and extortion. About hartals which The Daily Star never fails to condemn, these have not occurred as frequently as to affect productivity, supplies and the market prices. As for barricade, we do not understand what he was referring to. And about extortion is it not part of his government job to eliminate it? Indeed, extortion at various stages of procurement, transportation and storage is one of the prime causes of price hike in that traders have to mark up their prices. It's a law and order problem feeding on nexus between various vested quarters, which is not insurmountable at all.

Overall, we find his position about price hike not vigorous enough to stem it.