A vested quarter is spreading rumors that there are possibilities of scarcity of essentials in kitchen markets as commodity trading literally comes to a stand-still due to the pandemic coronavirus outbreak. Spreading such rumours, they have already been able to increase prices of rice, meat, pulses, dry chili, ginger, turmeric, flour, powder milk, cooking oil and other essentials. People in the middle and lower classes are in despair for the sudden price hike.
However, the government has informed that the country has adequate stocks of essential commodities, people do not need to worry and buy surplus goods. While speaking at a press conference at the secretariat, Commerce Minister, Tipu Munshi, emphasized being cautious about any rumors and said consumers would have to be aware of such false statements.
Urging the people Tipu said, “The stock, supply, and prices of essential commodities in the market are normal. At least 25-30 percent more essentials are stored compared to the previous years in the country. There is no need to buy extra commodities over the COVID-19 panic”. On the same day, Food Minister, Sadhan Chandra Majumder said, there will be no food crisis due to corona, as the country has adequate food stock.
“If any businessman tries to destabilize the market through Corona rumor mongering, the government will not sit quietly,” he added. It is to be noted, the Food Ministry has sent a letter to the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP) to strengthen market monitoring. In it, the ministry said that there will be no scarcity of food in the country. Even in the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, the essential prices will not increase in the country.
The letter also stated to increase surveillance of kitchen markets across the capital. Meanwhile, visits to the capital’s Karwan Bazar, Rampura, Malibagh, Shantinagar, revealed that per kilogram (kg) Minicat rice was selling at Tk 54-Tk 55, selling at Tk 50 – Tk 52 a couple of days ago, Nazirshail was Tk 58 – Tk 65 per kg, which was Tk 56-Tk 60, BR-28 was Tk 38-Tk 40 per kg, which was Tk 33-34 in the past week.
Karwan Bazar trader Yusuf told Bangladesh Post, “Mill owners are increasing rice prices at the mill gate showing coronavirus spread. At least a Tk 300 per sack rice price increase has happened within the last four days. Consumers are also buying extra rice amid coronavirus spread”.
In this regard, the food minister said, sufficient stock of rice is available in the country. “We have sent a letter to the mill owners to sell more rice in OMS and increase sales volume through Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB),” he further added. Based on TCB’s daily sales report, it was found that per kg of meat was selling at Tk 600, which was Tk 560 in the past week. Mutton was selling at Tk 900 per kg, which was Tk 850 last week and Tk 800 a month ago.
On Wednesday, per kg ginger was selling at Tk 110-130, imported ginger was Tk 150 per kg. Lentil was selling at Tk 75 per kg, turmeric was Tk 140 per kg, green gram was selling at Tk 125 –135 per kg. “We have already ensured the stocks of different essential commodities, including oil, pulse, onion, garlic, and salt. The overall stock this year is around 40 percent higher than that the previous year,” informed the commerce ministry on Wednesday.
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