There is no ground for the price hike of essential commodities. But, since long, we have been witnessing that prices of essential commodities go beyond the purchase capacity of common people ahead of Ramadan amid government measures.
Authorities concerned 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.
Stern actions should be taken against the traders who
will be found involved in creating artificial crisis
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. Besides, most of the vegetables are selling at higher prices although supply of outgoing winter vegetables has increased. 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. In this regard, government will have to intensify market monitoring and operations across the country. Also, stern actions should 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.