Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (September 30) at his office in the finance ministry, he warned that only political commitment and a political government could bring the issue under control.

“Previously, one taka would be collected as extortion; now it’s one and a half or two takas,” Dr. Ahmed said. “Since August 5 last year, various groups have become involved, including those who were already engaged in extortion. Many of those involved are even members of business organizations themselves.”

He added that extortion has contributed to rising commodity prices but noted that addressing it falls outside his ministry’s responsibilities. “The interim government does not operate under a ‘catch this, catch that’ policy,” he said.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed also projected that inflation would ease to around 7 percent by June 2026.