Reza Mahmud :
Increasing trend of commodity prices has created untold suffering for the people.
Price of Atta, rice, edible oil, lentil, chicken, fish and vegetables are high in markets making the people worried.
Increasing markets prices add salt to injury of those who have lost income sources during the long term covid-19 pandemic.
On spot visit on Saturday in different commodity markets in the capital, it was found that prices of essentials are high.
Sellers and customers said that rice prices are remaining high for last several weeks, which experts remark as illogical.
According to information provided by various retailers in the capital on Saturday, coarse rice is being sold at Tk 46 to 48 per kg while the medium type rice was selling at Tk 50-55per kg.
Meanwhile, Miniket, Nazirshail and other medium types of rice are currently being sold at Tk 55 to 68 per kg.
Huge quantity of rice were imported to reduce price hikes, but the price remains high for long.
Meanwhile the price of Atta and flour are on rise which created suffering for lower income group of people.
The retailers were selling non-packet atta at Tk 33 to 34 per kg while it was selling at Tk 27 to 28 per kg several weeks ago.
Besides, the packet atta were selling at Tk 38 to 40 per kg while it was selling at Tk 36 weeks ago.
People of fixed income level have expressed disappointment at the price hiking of atta saying only
this product remained under control for last several weeks which also went high.
On the other hand price of lentil also increased by Tk five per kg.
Lentil was sold at Tk 85 per kg last week, but it was selling at Tk 90 Saturday.
Besides, the prices of broiler chicken and Pakistani cock were also found high in markets.
In different markets in the capital, it has been found that the broiler chickens were selling at Tk 140 to 145 which were sold at Tk 125 to 135 last weeks.
Besides, the Pakistani cocks were selling at Tk 270 to 280 on Saturday which was sold at Tk 220 to 230 in last week.
Price of edible oil also remained high. Per litre of soyabean oil is selling at Tk 135 and a jar of five liter oil was selling at Tk 660 in Jurain bazaar in the capital on Saturday.
In vegetable markets, every most of the vegetables were selling at Tk 50 to 60 per kg while potato and papaya were selling at Tk 20 to 25 per kg.
Fish price also remain high in the markets.
Big size hilsha were selling at Tk 1100 to Tk 1300 per kg while medium size were sold at Tk 600 to Tk 800 and small size were selling at Tk 500 per kg.
Customers alleged that it is the season of the hilsha fish, but the traders are keeping price high.
Meanwhile, the fish traders said the price would decrease soon while huge quantities of hilshas would be found in markets.
