Home ›› 10 Dec 2022 ›› Editorial
People are not getting any respite from sufferings due to soaring prices of essential commodities. Low-income people are under a lot of pressure due to the increased prices of food grains and other essential commodities. On the one hand, people’s income has decreased; on the other hand everyday expenses have increased. Such a situation has created anxiety among the masses.
According to a news report published in this daily on Friday, prices of essential commodities in Dhaka have continued to remain costly despite numerous efforts from authorities to bring down. Commoners’ plight has crossed all limits in the already volatile kitchen market.
Sugar was being sold at Tk 7-12 higher per kg than the government fixed prices on Thursday at different kitchen markets in the capital, even as authorities continue to conduct raids.
Besides, prices of most rice varieties have remained high even with the government introducing import facilities for traders and new rice from Aman produce hitting the market.
Prices of other essentials are yet to come down from the peak reached last week, while flour has become even more costly. Prices of different types of flour have increased once more. In a matter of a week, the country’s second most important staple food has become Tk 5 more costly per kg. Packet atta or wheat flour sold at Tk 70-75 per kg on Thursday, up from Tk 65-73 per kg a week ago, while loose atta sold at Tk 60-63 per kg.
Prices of other essential foods, including lentils, edible oil, powdered milk, meat, egg, and fish, remained unchanged from last week’s peak. Local lentils are sold at Tk 140-150 per kg, while imported lentils are sold at Tk 110-115 per kg. Loose and bottled soybean oil is sold at a range of Tk 180-190 per litre, while palm oil is sold at Tk 145-155 per litre.
Meanwhile, farm eggs are sold at Tk 40-42 per four pieces, and farm chicken costs Tk 160-170 per kg daily.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), responsible for hearing and addressing consumer complaints over goods and services, have been raiding kitchen markets in the capital to ensure fair prices for sugar.
But retailers said it is not possible for them to sell the commodity at the government fixed price of Tk 108 per kg as they are forced to buy it at much higher prices from wholesalers. So, they are selling it in secret, avoiding the eyes of authorities.
The above scenarios of kitchen markets reveal how all government attempts to contain the organised syndicate of dishonest traders in manipulating prices are repeatedly failing. Many consumers are returning empty-handed from the local store and kitchen market.
Earlier, we have expressed in various editorials that it is ultimately the common people who bear the brunt of artificial price hikes of commodities that persist in the lame excuse between retailers and wholesalers.
Ultimately, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that commodity prices remain stable and affordable for people. For this, the government has plenty of resources and personnel.
Under the circumstances, the government should immediately act to check the essentials’ prices in the city’s kitchen and wholesale markets. Continuous market monitoring is needed to stop dishonest businessmen from hoarding daily necessities.
In this situation, verbal assurance will be of no use to the people. To keep the market stable, the government needs to ensure stockpiling and supply of daily commodities, especially food products. TCB should be proactive in this regard. If the supply of goods is stable, traders will not be able to raise prices arbitrarily by creating an artificial crisis.
Government should also take care of the fact that daily commodities are being sold at different prices in each market of the capital. The price list of the product should be consistent with the price list of the product in each market by the government agencies.
