In response to questions from journalists after an event at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali in the capital on Thursday, he said government employees' salaries had not been adjusted for as long as 11 years. Given the current inflation reality, the decision to adjust salaries is logical.

The minister said if the pay scale is implemented in phases, a large amount of extra money will not flow into the market at once. As a result, there will also be less fear of a sudden rise in commodity prices due to the pay scale.

He further said that besides government employees' salaries, the supply, import, production costs and international market prices of commodities are also important in controlling inflation. The government is monitoring these issues in an integrated manner.

Regarding the price of edible oil, the commerce minister said prices are being determined considering domestic production and processing costs as well as the international market. At the same time, monitoring is ongoing over the supply of essential commodities through TCB and OMS and any artificial crisis in the market.