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No steps to curb sky-rocketing prices of essentials in Ctg

Tuesday, 31 July 2007


Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Jul 30: No positive steps are yet in sight to rescue general people from sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities in the port city, sources said.
The toiling masses are leading their lives amid the constant rise in prices.
Goods including ata, flour, egg, spices, edible oils and vegetables have registered another round of price surge only within a week.
However, sellers and traders said that due to recent torrential rain, the supply of vegetable has declined which led to the rise in prices.
While visiting different local markets in the port city, it was found that the price of ata and flour has increased by Tk 4.0 to Tk 5.0 per kg. Those are being sold at Tk 32 to Tk 35, while the price of edible oil went up by Tk 3.0 to Tk 5.0 per kg.
It is alleged that a section of dishonest traders, aiming at earning wind-fall profit, enhanced the price of wheat which ultimately led to rise in price of ata and flour.
On the other hand, prices of vegetable items at the kitchen markets, have been increased.
In retail markets, the sellers were found realising exorbitant price from the buyers. Cucumbers is being sold at Tk 20, parble at Tk 20 to Tk 22, long bean at Tk 26, karala at Tk 24, tomato at Tk 80 and green pepper at Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg.
Similar situation persists in the fish markets. Despite the prohibition on the export of hilsa fish, it has not yet made any positive impact on its price in the local markets.
Furthermore the enhanced price of beef and mutton shows no sign of reducing. Broiler chicken are being sold at Tk 85 to Tk 90 per kg.
Consumers are of the opinion that the caretaker government should undertake more reformative measures to curb the unhealthy trend in the price hike.