BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today criticised the interim government for its failure to take adequate measures to reduce the prices of essential commodities and curb extortion.

"It's fact that the government is unable to lower the prices of daily necessities, particularly food items. People will be disappointed if they do not experience relief compared to previous periods," he said while distributing warm clothes in Mohammadpur area of the capital.

The Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal's Dhaka north city unit organised the programme in front of the Suchona Community Centre in Ring Road, Mohammadpur.

Rizvi said their party has consistently urged the government to intervene in the market and take action against syndicates and middlemen manipulating prices to ease the burden on people.

He alleged that the government has failed to stop the extortion of goods-carrying trucks by criminals and the members of law enforcement.

"The government may have good intentions, but its initiatives and administrative efforts to reduce commodity prices and curb extortion are inadequate. Proper administrative measures could have stopped extortion on the roads," the BNP leader said.

Rizvi said the government must play a responsible role in combating extortion and ensuring law and order.

"Political parties cannot stop extortion but can control their own party members, which is what the BNP is doing. But the government must take responsibility to put an end to extortion. It must ensure that every individual can move freely without fear and any threat," he observed.

The BNP leader said as the interim government was formed through a revolution, it must fulfil the expectations of the people. "If these expectations are not fulfilled, political parties will raise the concerns of the public."

Rizvi said BNP leaders occasionally criticise the government for its shortcomings and failure to meet public expectations. "But that does not mean that we're against them."