With the advent of the Holy Ramadan, prices of almost all essential commodities, including rice and vegetables, have increased substantially in recent days.
Despite government efforts to fight rising inflation, the price hike is putting pressure on the lower and middle income groups, leaving them in dire straits. According to sources, a kg of the fine variety of rice like Nazir Shail is being sold at Tk. 48-50, against Tk. 42-45 a month ago, Miniket is selling at Tk. 43-45, against Tk. 40-42, Katharibhog Tk. 75-80, up from Tk 70-72.
Prices of other commodities, such as fish, chilli, tomato, cucumber, brinjal and onion have also registered a significant upward trend. The price of green chilli shot up by around five times to Tk. 200 per kg on Wednesday, up from the previous week’s Tk 40.
Each kg of onion is selling at Tk. 50, against Tk. 30 just two weeks ago, brinjal Tk. 80, against Tk. 35-40 a month ago, tomato Tk. 120-140, up from Tk. 60 a month ago, and cucumber Tk. 40-50, against Tk. 25 just two weeks ago.
Rohu fish is selling at Tk. 400-450 a kg, shrimp at Tk. 600-800, depending on their size, and a medium-sized hilsa now costs Tk. 600-800.
The common man was finding it difficult to make both ends meet. When asked, some of them said they did not know how to make a living with a fixed income.
Traders, however, attributed the rise in prices to the recent rainfall and flash floods in some parts of the country, as well as sudden increase in the demand for the items, especially those that are largely consumed during Ramadan.
Consumers claimed that a section of unscrupulous traders were charging arbitrary prices, taking advantage of their increased demand. They called upon the government to intensify market monitoring so that the unscrupulous traders could not raise the prices of essentials.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the rate of inflation stood at 8.05 per cent in June, 2013, much higher than 5.54 per cent in June, 2012. The inflation rate in May, 2013, was 7.98 per cent. The high inflation, sources said, is forcing the common man to borrow money from banks and other financial institutions to run their families.
According to the Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh (CAB), consumers paid some 70.92 per cent more on an average to buy essential commodities and services in June, 2013, compared to that in June last year. The CAB monitors and analyses market data on essentials and commodities ranging from foodstuff and clothes to house rent, electricity and transport costs.
As per CAB statistics, on an average prices of rice have increased by 10.68 per cent, pulse (lentil) 11.69 per cent, onion, ginger and garlic 56.87 per cent and cow milk 9.31 per cent over the last one year.
The CAB suggested strengthening and activating the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to ensure supply of essential commodities in the market, especially during the month of Ramadan.
“A section of unscrupulous businessmen is always active to increase prices to capitalise on various religious occasions defying government instructions to keep the prices at a tolerable level,” said a CAB member. The association is a voluntary organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting consumers’ rights and interests.
-With The Independent input
