The government is going tough on the dishonest traders and hoarders engaged in increasing the prices of essential commodities.
“Many dishonest traders and hoarders hike the price of essentials when they get chance. Therefore, if anyone is found selling rice, edible oil, lentil, sugar and other products at higher rate than fixed by the tariff commission, stern action would be taken against them,” Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told reporters at Rangpur Circuit House on Friday.
He said the deputy commissioners (DCS) have been asked to work sincerely for keeping prices of daily essentials within the purchasing capability of consumers across the country.
“Besides, the DCS have also been instructed to intensify market monitoring and operations across the country. But, it is very unfortunate, a section of dishonest traders in association with the hoarders increase the prices. And these dishonest traders will not be spared this time,’ Tipu Munshi warned.
There is no ground for the price hike of essential commodities.
Prices of essential commodities are going beyond the purchase capacity of common people ahead of Ramadan amid government measures.
Concerned ministries and authorities also assured that the prices of daily essentials would not increase ahead or during the holy month of Ramadan.
And, they always say common consumers should not be worried as supply and stock situations of essential commodities are quite adequate and satisfactory to keep their prices under control.
The Department of Consumer Protection, Safe Food Authority and Bangladesh Competition Commission have also taken various initiatives to keep the prices of daily commodities stable but it does not work.
But, the government’s all steps to keep the daily essentials’ prices under control are going in vain.
On Friday, prices of most of the essential commodities were seen soaring at the kitchen markets in capital Dhaka, other metropolitan cities, district towns, upazila headquarters and even villages ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, causing concern among the low-income people.
The prices of daily essential commodities including rice, edible oil, chicken, onion, egg, meat, fish, and vegetables went up in the kitchen markets.
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Besides, most of the vegetables are selling at higher prices although supply of outgoing winter vegetables has increased.
The situation has been observed after visiting a good number of kitchen markets in the capital on Friday.
Tomatoes are being sold at Tk 40-50 per kg, beans at Tk 40-60 per kg, round eggplants at Tk 80 per kg, long eggplants at Tk 40 per kg, cauliflower and cabbage at Tk 40 per piece, carrots at Tk 80 per kg, carrots at Tk 40 per kg, sweet pumpkin at Tk 40 per kg, snake gourd at Tk 60, pointed gourd at Tk 50, radish at Tk 40, yardlong bean is being at Tk 120 per kg.
Potatoes are being sold in the market at earlier prices. New potatoes are being sold at Tk 14-15 per kg and old potatoes at Tk 10 -15 per kg.
The price of onion has gone up. Local onion is being sold at Tk 50 per kg and Indian onion is being sold at Tk 60 per kg.
Onion seller Md Kabir said that the price of onion has gone up in the market due to low import.
Chinese garlic is being sold at Tk 120 per kg in the market. Local garlic is being sold at Tk 50 per kg. Local ginger is being sold at Tk 60 per kg and Chinese ginger is being sold at a reduced price of Tk 100 per kg.
Green chilies are being sold at Tk 80 per kg. Green bananas are being sold at Tk 40 per four pieces. Cucumbers are being sold at Tk 60 per kg.
Besides, per four pieces of lemon is being sold at Tk 20.
Besides, Indian lentils are being sold at Tk 100 per kg and local lentils at Tk 120 per kg.
Per liter edible oil is being sold at Tk 168. Sugar is being sold at Tk 80 per kg. Besides, packets of sugar are being sold at Tk 85 per kg.
The price of eggs has gone up. Dozens of red eggs are being sold at Tk 120. Dozens of duck eggs are being sold at Tk 195 and dozens of Sonali chicken eggs are being sold at 180.
Broiler chickens are being sold at Tk 150-160 per kg. Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk 250 and Layer chicken is being sold at Tk 250 per kg.
In consequence, the sky rocketing price has now compelled people to rush to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) trucks and stand in long queues.
The sufferings, caused by surging prices, are even more for the middle-class people as they cannot share with others that they have little or no food at home.
And, such suffocating situation is making difficult for the common people to meet their daily needs.
Apart from the government, businessmen, wholesalers and traders must understand the agonies of common people as prices are skyrocketing although their salaries do not increase every year.
The common people do not know how to cope with the rising prices with their limited income.
The government must ensure supply of essential commodities, including rice, edible oil, sugar, onion, ginger, garlic and spices to people at reasonable prices immediately.
Besides, necessary steps will also have to be taken to ensure reasonable prices of these products in line with the international market prices and to keep the prices of imported goods at reasonable level.
And traders will also be refraining themselves in increasing prices of essentials and cooperating with the government to keep the price of goods stable.
Besides, stern actions would be taken against the traders who will be found involved in creating artificial crisis of key essential items in the market.
Apart from these, that the sale of TCB products at affordable prices will also have to be increased to meet the demand of marginalised people.