Meat selling at higher rates than price set by DSCC

Meat traders are charging prices higher than the rates set by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) for Ramadan for beef and mutton. 

On May 14, the Dhaka South City Corporation fixed the maximum prices of beef and mutton at Tk450 and Tk720 per kilogram, respectively. The price of buffalo meat was fixed at Tk420 and local lamb at Tk600.

However, visiting different kitchen markets in Karwan Bazar, Sukrabad, Hatirpool, Mohammadpur, Kolabagan, Kaptanbazar, Najirabazar, Farmgate, and Mirpur areas on Sunday, this correspondent found that beef was selling at prices from Tk480 to Tk500 per kg while mutton was selling at prices from Tk750 to Tk780 per kg.

Mohammad Mostofa, a meat trader at Sukrabad, said: “We cannot sell a kg of beef at less than Tk500. Why should we face losses selling the meat as per the rate fixed by the corporation?”

He said he is selling two kinds of beef-- one kind at Tk450 as per corporation rate by mixing bones and fat and another kind at Tk500 which is boneless.

When asked about the tactics, Mostofa said: “If we sell all meat as per the corporation’s rate then we will have to face losses. How can we pay the salaries of our staff and shop’s rent?”

Mostofa further said when they buy a cow from the cattle market they have to pay tax and meet other costs. “If we buy a cow for Tk80,000, its market value jumps to Tk85,000. Then, how would we sell meat at Tk450 per kg?” he questioned.

Dhaka Metropolitan Meat Traders’ Association President Rabiul Alam said since the traders have to pay additional tax they cannot reduce the prices.

“The government has fixed tax at Tk100 but leaseholders charge between Tk300 and Tk5,000 for each cow from the traders.  If the traders did not have to pay the extra money the cost would come down.”

Md Shafiqul Islam Laskar, director general of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection under the Ministry of Commerce, wrote on his Facebook post that they imposed fine of Tk1.23 lakh on 15 meat shops during drives in Kolabagan, Dhanmondi, and Mohammadpur areas on Saturday and Sunday for flouting the corporation’s directive.

Deputy Secretary Monjur Mohammad Shahriar led the drive, he said, adding that the drive will be continued throughout the month of Ramadan.