The prices of all essentials start shooting up abnormally ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. Besides, the prices of most vegetables have doubled in the capital’s kitchen markets.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently issued a set of directives to control price hike of essentials and ensure smooth supply of essential commodities during the holy month of Ramadan. Besides, the agriculture, food and commerce ministers are also continuously assuring that there would be no shortage of essential commodities in the country during Ramadan. They also warned of taking stern action against those who would try to create any artificial crisis of essentials in the market ahead of Ramadan.
There has not been much reflection on the market what the government is claiming in terms of stock and market monitoring. Prices of various essential commodities are skyrocketing in the kitchen market with the month of Ramadan nearing fast.
In the past traders used to hike prices
during Ramadan month
but now they are doing
it well ahead
of Ramadan
Now one can hardly buy one kg vegetable below Tk 60 to 160 though there is a big price gap in retail and wholesale markets. The price hike of essentials, especially of vegetables, is very much visible.
Consumers alleged traders suddenly hiked the prices of vegetables without showing any valid reasons. A section of dishonest traders adopted the strategy to raise the prices of vegetables and other essentials well ahead of Ramadan so that they do not need to increase the prices during the holy month. In the past traders used to hike prices during Ramadan month but now they are doing it well ahead of Ramadan.
Consumers cooperative and farmers’ cooperative will have to be formed to deal with the middlemen which may help reduce prices alongside ensuring the fair shares of farmers.
Besides, the government should mull further steps to bring down prices of daily essentials to keep them at a tolerable level for the ordinary consumers.
Besides, the local administration will also have to monitor the prices of essentials at all major markets of capital Dhaka, other metropolitan cites, district towns and upazila headquarters throughout the holy month properly.