Prices of all types of vegetables, chicken and essential commodities registered a rise during the second phase of Corona lockdown in Rajshahi. Though the traders in Rajshahi predicted a non-increase of prices of essentials including the vegetables during the holy month of Ramadan, in reality, the prices have increased abnormally.
On Saturday morning, the vegetable Brinjal at Shaheb Bazaar was seen to sell at Taka 75 to 80 per kilogramme while vegetables like Cucumber, Lady's finger, Borboti (Long bean) were being sold at Taka 70, 50 and 80 respectively. Lemon per piece was being sold at Taka 8 to 10.
Vegetables trader Fayaz at Shaheb Bazaar informed from the first day of Ramadan, the price of some vegetables including Brinjal have been increased. On the first day of Ramadan, the Brinjal was being sold at Taka 60 per kilogramme but on Saturday it was being sold at Taka 80. Prices of all other vegetables except Potato have increased during the last couples of days, he added.
Customer Sobuj Ali said, there is no control of market price anywhere as a result the traders were charging the prices of essentials as their will. The abnormal increase of price of all types of vegetables, chicken and other essentials despite an abundant supply proves that there is no control of the government over the market price price. He added, such an illogical price hike was increasing the sufferings of the common people during the Ramadan.
The price of drum-sticks was Taka 70 to 80 per kg which was 50 to 60 per kg last week, the prices of Patol, Tomato and Bitter gourd were being sold at Taka 50, 40 and 60 per kg as against Taka 40, 20 and 30 last week respectively. The price of Lau and Chalkumra ( Wax gourd) was being sold to Taka 40 to 45 as against Taka 20 to 30 last week. Prices of various types of green vegetables including Pui sac, Lal sak, Palank sak( Spinach) and Kalmi sac also being sold at Taka 20 to 30 per kilogramme.
The spices like Onion, Garlic and Ginger are being sold at Taka 25 to 30, 60 to 80 and 70 to 90 per kilogramme according to quality and sizes. Varieties of pulses like Gram, Khesari, Lentil are being sold at 65 to 70, 60 to 65 and 50 to 60 per kilogramme. Varieties of dates and sugar are being sold at 240 to 800 and Taka 72 respectively while the edible oil like Soyabean is being sold at Taka 130 per litre, Palm oil at Taka 115 and Mustard oil at Taka 170 per litre.
The price of broiler chicken, however, decreased to Taka 140 to 145 per kilogramme as against Taka 160 to 165 per kg last week while the prices of Pakistani cocekrel and Sonali remained the same at Taka 250 to 280 per kilogramme.
The beef and mutton were seen to be sold at the fixed price at Taka 550 to 800 per kg. The prices of varieties of fishes show a downward trend. There was no decrease in price of the Hilsha fish. It was being sold from Taka 700 to 1000 per kg while the Shrimp at Taka 500 to 1,000, Ruhi from Taka 140 to 250, Katla from180 to 300, Mrigel from Taka `20 to 200, Pangas fromTaka 150 to 200, Boal from Yaka 300 to 700, Koi from Taka 200 to 500 and Catfish(Sing) from Taka 400 to 700 per kilogramme.