Thousands of passengers commute daily due to the good way of transportation on the Chandpur-Dhaka launch route. All launches from Chandpur to Dhaka and from Dhaka to Chandpur are luxurious.
Because of this, the number of passengers is increasing day by day. But the people who operate the canteens at these launches are charging comparable food. Launch canteens have serve unhealthy food for travelers. In one way, the passengers have to buy food with extra cost.
At every launch left from Chandpur, it is alleged that low quality food is served here at extra cost. In addition, all bottled and packaged products are charged 5 to 10 taka extra more than the price. The price list given by Chandpur District Administration but it is not compliant at any launch.
One Passenger named Mahibulla said, ‘The owners of the launches do not know about the operation of the canteen. Because of this, more canteen owners sell food at high prices.Taking extra money in this way is a big crime.We are seeking administration intervention as soon as possible’.
Another passenger named Ibrahim said, ‘There is no problem if the price is too high, but the quality of the food needs to be good. Because people often travel from far and wide come to lunch and get food. Then there is no time to test the quality of the food. So any food you have to buy and eat. And all the packaged products have to be bought at a higher price’.
Manik Khan,one of launch canteen manager said, “We always sell food as per package at launch. I sell packaged food with chicken, fish,pulses at taka 150 . We have to keep food prices high,” he said. You have to pay rent of taka 6500 per day. So the price is kept a little higher.
“I have to pay 60,000 thousand taka per month for rent,” said Mizan, a shopkeeper at the launch terminal. Apart from this, the labor cost has to pay for bringing the goods. Overall, the costs are high. So packet products have to sell at high price.
Saiful Islam,one of Launch owner said, “We tell them to sell at a fixed price in the shop, but all the launches in Chandpur are the same.They don not follow the rules.
District cab member Biplob Sarkar said, ‘They do not have the right to raise the prices of packet varieties at launch. Those who take high price are violating the law.Although each lunch is supposed to have a fixed price list, no one is keeping it.
President of Sanak Chandpur District Branch Mosharraf Hossain said, Increase the prices of packaged goods is a legal offense under the Consumer Rights Act. In no way can the packet be sold for more than the specified price. If someone else sells it could be a jail fine.
Additional district magistrate Jamal Hossain said,’Strict action will be taken against those who sell food at high prices’.
Reporter: Shariful Islam,Dec 22,2019