Anisul Islam Noor :
Prices of daily essentials are rising gradually ahead of Ramzan which has sparked concern among ordinary people despite the government’s warning not to increase price in the holy month.
Both the whole salers and retailers raised the price of some goods in every week in March and April adding that the price of whole sale markets increased.
Market analysts and consumers have complained that a group of dishonest businessmen have increased the price of different essentials gradually before Ramzan due to absence of any effective monitoring by government agencies.
“They will show respect to the government’s announcement of not to increase essential commodities price in Ramzan,” the analysts said.
Adviser of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Professor Shamsul Alam said, government should gear up monitoring in both whole salers and retailers even the rate of goods importing through LC before two months of Ramzan to curb dishonesty in pricing.
Iftekhar Zaman of TIB said, less control on commodities price monitoring and miss-guiding government by influential business people who are also involved in politics, plying vital role to price hike.
He also emphasized to control transport fare for carrying goods and toll collection on the highways and local routs also.
However, the retailers increased the price of various commodities including lentil, chickpeas, sugar and fine rice in the city markets claiming increase of demand.
Talking with The New Nation, a trader of Karwan Bazar, Aslam Bhuyian, said: “We did not raise prices; we have to buy at higher prices, so we have to sell at higher prices.”
During visiting Karwan Bazar market in the capital
on Wednesday, it was found the price of lentils rose to Tk92-Tk100 per kg, up by Tk5-Tk10 from last week’s price of Tk86-Tk92 per kg.
Chickpeas are very popular during the month of Ramzan. The price of chickpeas rose to Tk60-Tk70 per kg, up by Tk3-Tk5 since last week’s price of Tk56-Tk65 per kg.
The price of sugar rose to Tk52-Tk58 per kg, up by Tk3-Tk5 since last week’s price of Tk47-Tk52 per kg.
At the Hatirpool kitchen market, the price of fine grain rice rose to Tk85-Tk90 per kg, up by Tk5-Tk6 since last week’s price of Tk79-Tk80 per kg.
However, according to TCB (Trading Corporation of Bangladesh) data, prices of these commodities did not increase much in the last one week.
Traders blame sugar shortage for rising sugar prices.
According to Bangladesh Bank data, in the July- March 23 period of the ongoing 2018-19 fiscal year, letters of credit (LCs) were opened for 1.3 million tons of sugar import, during which time, LCs for 1.1 million tons were settled.
In the previous fiscal year, LCs for sugar imports were opened for 1.5 million tons, while LCs for 1.7 million tons were settled.
Compared with the previous year, LC opening and settlement has decreased by 177,554 tons and 524,820 tons respectively.
Belal Hossain another trader of the market, said: “Supply is very low compared to the upcoming demand. Hence, prices have been progressively increasing since last week.”
After visiting several markets in the capital, dates were found to be sold at Tk240-1420 per kg. 5 liters of edible oil sold at Tk425-Tk460.
Prices of daily essentials are rising gradually ahead of Ramzan which has sparked concern among ordinary people despite the government’s warning not to increase price in the holy month.
Both the whole salers and retailers raised the price of some goods in every week in March and April adding that the price of whole sale markets increased.
Market analysts and consumers have complained that a group of dishonest businessmen have increased the price of different essentials gradually before Ramzan due to absence of any effective monitoring by government agencies.
“They will show respect to the government’s announcement of not to increase essential commodities price in Ramzan,” the analysts said.
Adviser of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Professor Shamsul Alam said, government should gear up monitoring in both whole salers and retailers even the rate of goods importing through LC before two months of Ramzan to curb dishonesty in pricing.
Iftekhar Zaman of TIB said, less control on commodities price monitoring and miss-guiding government by influential business people who are also involved in politics, plying vital role to price hike.
He also emphasized to control transport fare for carrying goods and toll collection on the highways and local routs also.
However, the retailers increased the price of various commodities including lentil, chickpeas, sugar and fine rice in the city markets claiming increase of demand.
Talking with The New Nation, a trader of Karwan Bazar, Aslam Bhuyian, said: “We did not raise prices; we have to buy at higher prices, so we have to sell at higher prices.”
During visiting Karwan Bazar market in the capital
on Wednesday, it was found the price of lentils rose to Tk92-Tk100 per kg, up by Tk5-Tk10 from last week’s price of Tk86-Tk92 per kg.
Chickpeas are very popular during the month of Ramzan. The price of chickpeas rose to Tk60-Tk70 per kg, up by Tk3-Tk5 since last week’s price of Tk56-Tk65 per kg.
The price of sugar rose to Tk52-Tk58 per kg, up by Tk3-Tk5 since last week’s price of Tk47-Tk52 per kg.
At the Hatirpool kitchen market, the price of fine grain rice rose to Tk85-Tk90 per kg, up by Tk5-Tk6 since last week’s price of Tk79-Tk80 per kg.
However, according to TCB (Trading Corporation of Bangladesh) data, prices of these commodities did not increase much in the last one week.
Traders blame sugar shortage for rising sugar prices.
According to Bangladesh Bank data, in the July- March 23 period of the ongoing 2018-19 fiscal year, letters of credit (LCs) were opened for 1.3 million tons of sugar import, during which time, LCs for 1.1 million tons were settled.
In the previous fiscal year, LCs for sugar imports were opened for 1.5 million tons, while LCs for 1.7 million tons were settled.
Compared with the previous year, LC opening and settlement has decreased by 177,554 tons and 524,820 tons respectively.
Belal Hossain another trader of the market, said: “Supply is very low compared to the upcoming demand. Hence, prices have been progressively increasing since last week.”
After visiting several markets in the capital, dates were found to be sold at Tk240-1420 per kg. 5 liters of edible oil sold at Tk425-Tk460.
