Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has said that conducting raids at retail or mid-level sales outlets brings little benefit, as the real culprits behind market irregularities often remain untouched.

Our goal is to protect consumers’ interests, not to restrict trade,” he said on Tuesday afternoon while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with edible oil delivery order (DO) traders at the commerce ministry.

The adviser emphasised that facilitating both domestic and international trade is the ministry’s core function, and it has been working sincerely to achieve that objective.

As consumers ourselves, it’s only natural that my ministry and I will work in favour of consumer welfare,” he said, urging DO traders to cooperate and provide guidance in stabilising the market.

Warning that decisive measures will be taken to protect consumer rights, Bashir Uddin said such steps would be taken regardless of who they affect.

He noted that the traditional practice of controlling the edible oil market through raids at retail or mid-level shops has proven largely ineffective.

The entire supply chain—from producers or importers to DO traders, wholesalers, and retailers—must come under regulatory oversight,” he said, adding that mill owners, DO traders, or both might be responsible for market instability.

It’s unrealistic to think a small retailer hiding 500 bottles of oil under his counter is causing market chaos,” the adviser remarked. “TV channels may show dramatic footage of oil seizures, the public may applaud, but in reality, such drives achieve nothing. The small grocer is blamed while the real manipulators walk free.”

Bashir Uddin said the government will ensure no one can destabilise the edible oil market and vowed to identify and act against the real offenders.

At the meeting, DO traders complained about not receiving products on time from mill owners and urged the ministry to resolve the issue.