The prices of green chillies soared to a record-high of Tk800-1,000 per kg in the kitchen markets of different districts like Brahmanbaria, Bagerhat and Sylhet due to a sharp decline in supply of the essential commodity.
According to the traders, production of chillies fell due to unfavorable weather, triggering a supply deficit as well as price surge. As the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) on Monday conducted raids in various markets in different districts, the price of green chillies fell in the country quickly as supply increased.
Green chillies were sold at Tk 400 a kg in the capital’s Karwan Bazar on Saturday. This decreased to Tk 150-240 a kg on Monday. Seven trucks carrying around 70 metric tonnes of green chilli entered the country through Bhomra land port from India on Sunday. Due to import of green chilli, prices of the essential kitchen item came down in the country. Therefore, the price of green chilli is stable in market and it will reduce further.
There is no alternative but to get
tough on syndicates that are
responsible for creating unrest
in the kitchen market
So, it is clear that like other essential there is also a syndicate in the green chilli market which has the power of raising the price of green chilli dramatically overnight. This vicious syndicate made windfall gains by hiking green chilli price.
This organised dishonest clique becomes desperate to pocket hefty profits holding the people hostage by illegal hoarding and storage and forming syndication ahead of every religious occasion like the holy month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul Azha every year.
The authorities concerned especially the commerce ministry will have to work hard to break the syndicates immediately. If the syndicate cannot be broken up, like green chilli, prices of all other essential commodities will go out of control.
There is no alternative but to get tough on syndicates that are responsible for creating unrest in the kitchen market deliberately. The organised dishonest traders and syndicates must be identified and brought to book.
Authorities concerned should conduct mobile courts, monitor price lists and penalise those traders who are selling essential commodities at higher prices than mentioned in price lists.
