Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

Parvin Sultana Rabbi, Director (Training & Study) of Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), ssid, journalists are not friends of anyone—only journalists can be friends of fellow journalists. This is because when a journalist reports against someone, that person considers them an enemy from that moment onward.

No matter how close or dear that person may be, the reality is that journalists today cannot be friends with fellow journalists, which has led to their unfortunate situation. She emphasized that if journalists remain united, no one will be able to exert influence over them.

She made these remarks on Thursday evening as the chief guest at the concluding ceremony of a three-day training workshop on news reporting, attended by 35 journalists from various upazilas of Narayanganj. The workshop was organized by PIB at Narayanganj Press Club.

Parvin Sultana Rabbi also highlighted the importance of journalists knowing how to ask questions—where, when, and what to ask. She remarked that over the past 16 years, journalists have often engaged in flattery rather than proper journalism, which allowed authoritarian rule to take hold. She advised journalists to stay united and be dedicated to their profession, noting that only those who are interested and focused can advance in journalism.

She also mentioned that if the press club wishes, PIB can arrange a separate training session on mobile journalism in the future.

The closing ceremony was presided over by Narayanganj Press Club President Arif Alam Dipu, who expressed gratitude to PIB for organizing such a timely training session for journalists in Narayanganj. He also requested another training program within the next six months.

Other attendees included former General Secretary of Narayanganj Press Club Abu Saud Masud, PIB Assistant Trainer Jilhaz Uddin Nipon, PIB officials, employees, and journalists from Narayanganj.

Later, the chief guest, PIB Director Parvin Sultana Rabbi, distributed certificates to 35 journalists who participated in the training workshop, including Imtiaz Ahmed, City Editor of `Dainik Shitalokkha.

During the three-day training, resource persons included Associate Professor Dr. Saiful Alam Khan from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, Associate Professor Dr. Jamil Khan from Daffodil University’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, fact-checker Ridwanul Islam, and PIB Assistant Trainer Jilhaz Uddin Nipon.

Instability in wholesale markets, hoarding begins : DC warns against hoarding in N'ganj

With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, the supply of goods in Narayanganj’s wholesale market is increasing, along with a sharp rise in prices. While business leaders preach ethical practices, some traders have already started hoarding, which will affect the retail market. The Narayanganj District Administration has announced regular monitoring to stabilize the market during Ramadan. Consumers have complained that unscrupulous traders create artificial shortages through hoarding to drive up prices.

Meanwhile, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah has warned that no one will be spared if found hoarding or adulterating essential food items during Ramadan. He pointed out that in developed countries, prices of essential goods are reduced during festivals so that everyone can celebrate joyfully, but in Bangladesh, the opposite happens.

"Traders make profits throughout the year, so why can't everyone celebrate together during Ramadan? We hope that this time there will be no adulteration or price hikes. We do not wish to disrespect anyone, but if anyone mixes adulterants in food or hoards goods, strict action will be taken," he said.

The DC made these remarks on Wednesday (February 26) during a meeting of the District Task Force Committee at the District Commissioner’s conference room to ensure price stability and affordability of essential commodities in Narayanganj during Ramadan.

He further warned that if anyone creates an artificial crisis, they will face severe punishment. He urged traders to refrain from unethical practices and encouraged the public to report any such activities. "We do not want the entire business community to suffer because of a few individuals," he added.

Addressing hotel business owners, the DC stated, “It is not acceptable to set up stalls on the streets during Ramadan, as it causes traffic congestion and disrupts public movement. Emergency patients also face difficulties in reaching hospitals on time. We are working to keep traffic movement normal during Ramadan and seek everyone’s cooperation.”

Emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in preventing food adulteration, he asked, “How can I sell food to others that I wouldn’t eat myself? We need to cultivate ethical values. In developed countries, such practices are controlled because their societies have developed a strong ethical foundation. Our society must reach that level too.”

Meanwhile, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has launched an operation in the wholesale market of Nitaiganj, Narayanganj. The initial phase of the operation revealed manipulation in the pricing of soybean oil, leading to fines for a few businesses. However, the price manipulation issue remains unresolved—one crackdown ends, and the hoarding begins again. With Ramadan approaching, residents of Narayanganj are increasingly anxious about the situation.

Following the rise in soybean oil prices, the District Task Force conducted another raid in Nitaiganj. Shopkeeper Sagar Hossain of Amin Enterprise commented, "If the syndicate is broken, soybean oil prices will naturally drop."

Kazi Shuvo, a resident of Paikpara, said, “I sell samosas and singaras, so I need to stock up on oil in advance. Three months ago, I bought loose soybean oil at 150 taka per liter, but now it's 192 taka per liter. Yet, I cannot increase the price of my snacks.”

On February 24, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection conducted a raid in Pagla, Fatullah, and Nitaiganj in Narayanganj city to control commodity prices. Three businesses were fined a total of 312,000 taka. The raid was led by the Government Director of the Narayanganj Consumer Rights Protection Department, Hriday Ranjan Bonik.

He stated, “Based on complaints, we sent undercover buyers to purchase soybean oil. It was found that stores were selling at prices higher than the government-mandated rates. As a result, Monir Store was fined 300,000 taka, and instructions were given to sell the remaining stock at the labeled price.”

Additionally, two businesses in Pagla, Fatullah, were fined 12,000 taka for selling soybean oil at inflated prices. 

A visit to the raw market in Digubabu Bazaar revealed that grocery stores have sufficient stock of bottled soybean oil. Retailers mentioned that apart from a few major companies, other brands of bottled oil were unavailable for a while, a tactic allegedly used to increase prices.

Consumers believe that shopkeepers had pre-stocked the oil and are now selling it at higher prices. However, shopkeepers argue that they are selling at the price set by suppliers. Mahiyuddin, a grocery store owner, stated, "The demand was high, but companies reduced supply for a while, which allowed them to raise prices."

Dulal Hossain, owner of Bikrampur General Store, said, “Customers want to buy soybean oil at the labeled price, but there’s no point in looking at the label. Since I bought it at a higher price, I cannot sell it at a loss.”

At Bou Bazaar, a handful of stores were selling oil at the listed price or slightly higher. Recently, a one-liter bottle of Rupchanda soybean oil was priced at 167 taka, a two-liter bottle at 334 taka, and a five-liter bottle at 818 taka. Most shops are charging 25–30 taka more per bottle. Now, the price of bottled soybean oil has jumped to 195 taka per liter.

In Masdair Bazaar, bottled soybean oil was in short supply a few days ago, but now stocks have been replenished—yet the price remains unchanged. With Ramadan approaching, consumers are bracing for further price hikes.