Sylhet Correspondent :
During the last few months, the price of rice per kg has increased to Tk 7 to 8 in Sylhet markets .
Though the price of fine rice has remained the same, the price of coarse ones is increasing, sending a wave of concern among the people of low-income group.
Concerned sources said, the price has increased as the government is buying rice at high prices from local sources.
Only one month ago, per kg Guti Swarna (coarse) was sold at Tk 26 to 28 at Bahadur Bazar, the main retail and wholesale market in Sylhet City, but now it is selling at Tk 33 to 34.
Similarly, per kg BR 28 was sold at Tk 32 to 33 but now it is selling at Tk 38 to 40, per kg Swarna which was sold at Tk 30 to 31 is now selling at Tk 37 to 38, and per kg Miniket which was sold at Tk 38 to 40 is now selling at Tk 45 to 46.
Besides, only a week ago, the BR 28 was sold at Tk 35 to 36 but now after a week Tk 3 to 4 has increased in per kg. Similarly, Tk 3 to 4 in per kg of Guti Swarna (coarse), Tk 3 to 4 in per kg of Miniket, and Tk 4 to 5 in per kg of Swarna, has increased within a week.
Due to the price hike of the main commodity, the people of low income groups are suffering much.
They said, if the price hike continues, they would have to remain unfed.
Jeny Begum, a customer of rice at Khalighat Bazar said, “Only 8-10 days ago, I bought rice at Tk 27 per kg. But, after a week, it has stood at Tk 33 per kg. Due to the price hike, we are suffering much.”
Another customer Dalim said, “One month ago, I bought per bag (50 kg) Miniket rice at Tk 1,950, but now the price has stood at Tk 2,250. Recently, I bought one bag of Miniket rice at Tk 2,200.”
He further said, “Our salary has not increased, but the prices of commodities have increased. Rice is a commodity which has no alternative. So, we are compelled to buy the rice at high prices.”
Meanwhile, retailers said, the price has increased as the government has bought rice at Tk 32 per kg from local sources.
Retailer Faruk Ahmed said, “As we had to buy rice millers at high prices, so we have to sell it at increased prices. The government is buying rice at more prices than the market rate. So the price has increased.”
Seeking anonymity, some sellers said, as the millers have formed syndicate and are storing rice, so the price has increased. The traders, however, denied the syndication but admitted the storing of the rice.
Secretary of Sylhet Rice Mill Association has alleged the inflation as the main cause behind the price of rice.
He said, “It is not true that the millers are storing rice or forming syndicate. Compared to the current inflation rate, the price of rice should increase more so that the growers can make profit. The price of rice remains a bit high at this time of the year. After some days when the harvesting of Aman rice begins, the price will come down.”
During the last few months, the price of rice per kg has increased to Tk 7 to 8 in Sylhet markets .
Though the price of fine rice has remained the same, the price of coarse ones is increasing, sending a wave of concern among the people of low-income group.
Concerned sources said, the price has increased as the government is buying rice at high prices from local sources.
Only one month ago, per kg Guti Swarna (coarse) was sold at Tk 26 to 28 at Bahadur Bazar, the main retail and wholesale market in Sylhet City, but now it is selling at Tk 33 to 34.
Similarly, per kg BR 28 was sold at Tk 32 to 33 but now it is selling at Tk 38 to 40, per kg Swarna which was sold at Tk 30 to 31 is now selling at Tk 37 to 38, and per kg Miniket which was sold at Tk 38 to 40 is now selling at Tk 45 to 46.
Besides, only a week ago, the BR 28 was sold at Tk 35 to 36 but now after a week Tk 3 to 4 has increased in per kg. Similarly, Tk 3 to 4 in per kg of Guti Swarna (coarse), Tk 3 to 4 in per kg of Miniket, and Tk 4 to 5 in per kg of Swarna, has increased within a week.
Due to the price hike of the main commodity, the people of low income groups are suffering much.
They said, if the price hike continues, they would have to remain unfed.
Jeny Begum, a customer of rice at Khalighat Bazar said, “Only 8-10 days ago, I bought rice at Tk 27 per kg. But, after a week, it has stood at Tk 33 per kg. Due to the price hike, we are suffering much.”
Another customer Dalim said, “One month ago, I bought per bag (50 kg) Miniket rice at Tk 1,950, but now the price has stood at Tk 2,250. Recently, I bought one bag of Miniket rice at Tk 2,200.”
He further said, “Our salary has not increased, but the prices of commodities have increased. Rice is a commodity which has no alternative. So, we are compelled to buy the rice at high prices.”
Meanwhile, retailers said, the price has increased as the government has bought rice at Tk 32 per kg from local sources.
Retailer Faruk Ahmed said, “As we had to buy rice millers at high prices, so we have to sell it at increased prices. The government is buying rice at more prices than the market rate. So the price has increased.”
Seeking anonymity, some sellers said, as the millers have formed syndicate and are storing rice, so the price has increased. The traders, however, denied the syndication but admitted the storing of the rice.
Secretary of Sylhet Rice Mill Association has alleged the inflation as the main cause behind the price of rice.
He said, “It is not true that the millers are storing rice or forming syndicate. Compared to the current inflation rate, the price of rice should increase more so that the growers can make profit. The price of rice remains a bit high at this time of the year. After some days when the harvesting of Aman rice begins, the price will come down.”
