Bangladesh Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the government has taken steps to buy the essentials in advance for upcoming Ramadan so that people don't face problems.

“We’ve taken measures to purchase in advance whatever is needed during the month of Ramadan,” she said.

The premier said this in her introductory speech while chairing a joint meeting of Awami League central working committee, advisory council and its associate bodies at the party’s central at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital, reports UNB.

Noting that food support programmes for the poor will continue during the Ramadan, she said the people will be able to buy commodities at subsidised rates through TCB family cards and to purchase rice from the open market sale (OMS).

“We’ll ensure proper arrangement so that the people don’t face problems in purchasing commodities. We’ll take adequate measures to tame inflation further,” said Hasina.

She said the commodity prices are causing public sufferings now. “Yes, inflation went up, but we’ve eased it to a large extent. But there are some vested quarters who raise the prices by conspiracy,” she added.

The PM, however, said it is true that the purchasing power of the people has increased. Besides, the government continues food support programmes to ease the public sufferings, she said.

The AL president said her party formed the government, winning the recent general election. “We’ve gained public trust and confidence. We’ll have to go forward respecting this trust.,” she said.

She said the public support, trust and confidence towards Awami League has been reflected massively in this election. An ordinary villager believes in AL. They don’t have trust and confidence in any other, she said.

“So, we’ll have to fulfill their desires. We'll always have to keep in mind how we can change the fate and improve life of the commoners like the poor, farmers, day labourers and rickshaw pullers,” said Hasina.

She said the ongoing development works will have to be completed. The development trend of the country will have to be carried forward and accelerated further as per the perspective plan, she said.

The premier stressed the need for bringing every inch of arable land under cultivation to grow more foods, diversifying export basket, and searching for new export markets of Bangladeshi goods.

Citing that the education and health services were taken to the doorsteps of the people, she said the services will continue.

Talking about the AL electoral manifesto 2024, Sheikh Hasina said, “We keep the promises we make to the people.”

She said AL government’s achievements, pledges and what to be done in future were stated in details in the electoral manifesto.

The AL chief asked her party leaders and activists to read the manifesto thoroughly. If so, they can understand their political ideology and work accordingly, she said.