Increased supply as well as intervention by students from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has led to a further reduction in the prices of essential commodities in the city on Friday.
Absence of extortionists also helped reduce the prices of vegetables, eggs, chicken and others, offering some relief to the residents in the capital.
Students were seen actively monitoring the market situation at Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market and few other markets in the city on the day.
Their presence was a continuation of efforts to ensure fair pricing and transparency in the marketplace, especially during a period of economic strain, said Faisal Hossain, a student representative.
Traders at Karwan Bazar confirmed a notable drop in vegetable prices, with some items seeing a decrease of at least Tk 20 per kg over the past two days.
Chicken prices have also fallen, with broiler chicken now selling at Tk 170-180 a kg, down from Tk190-200 a kg earlier.
The supply of vegetables has also significantly increased.
Earlier, fewer trucks were arriving due to ongoing protests, but now the situation has stabilised, said Rafiq Hossain Mridha, a vegetable trader at Karwan Bazar.
Additionally, the absence of extortionists on the roads has played a crucial role in lowering the prices, he said.
"Brinjal that were priced at Tk 120 three days ago are now selling at Tk 70-80 a kg and the prices of pointed gourds have dropped from Tk 70-80 to Tk 50-60.
Eddo, long-yard bean and clocasia stem were selling at Tk 70-80, down from Tk 100-120 a kg earlier.
A group of about 20 students was seen moving through a market, engaging with traders and urging them not to overcharge customers.
They also ensured that price lists were displayed prominently and that the prices were in line with what traders had paid for the goods.
Radif, one of the student leaders, said they were monitoring the market since 7:00am.
"We are checking the price vouchers and are ensuring that the traders are not selling the commodities at a higher rate."
"Our efforts are not only been focused on pricing but also on curbing deceptive practices by a section of traders," sais Radif.
Traders, however, have welcomed the students' initiative.
Gulzar Ahmed, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said due to presence of students in the highways, extortion has almost stopped.
Previously, every truck, laden with vegetables, spices or potato, had to give Tk 3,500-4,000 to extortionists at different points, he said.
But in last three days, there was no extortion at the key highway points, he added.
Jewel Hasan, a resident of Tazmahal Road in Mohammadpur, told the FE that the students' market monitoring initiative has brought immediate benefits to consumers.
He said egg prices shot up to Tk 190-200 a dozen on August 4 and 5, which is now Tk 145-155 a dozen.
He expressed the hope that the government organisations might also follow such examples in the coming week to keep prices within the reach of the commoners.
[email protected]
