The government's move to rein in essentials' price hike ahead of the Ramadan went in vein, as most of the traders in the city's kitchen markets are not following the official price chart, causing frustration among the consumers.
Traders, however, failed to give any logical reason behind their apathy to follow the price chart.
The picture of price chart violation was found after visiting seven kitchen markets in the capital Monday, including Mirpur Section-6 Kicthen Market, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Banalata Kitchen Market in Newmarket area, Hatirpool Kitchen Market, Palashi Kicthen Market, Chhapra Masjid Bazar in Azimpur area and Nowabganj Bazar in Lalbag area.
The traders were not following the charts, hung by the city corporations and by themselves.
The commerce ministry issued a circular on June 19 that the government will cancel the licenses of retailers and confiscate goods, if they do not display price chart of basic commodities at their shops.
The ministry issued the circular just a few days before the Ramadan to rein in price hike of essentials, an official said.
Considering a number of essentials, it was found that 80 per cent items were sold at higher prices compared to the prices mentioned in the price chart.
The products, which were sold at higher prices, include rice, aromatic rice, pulses, onion, ginger, turmeric, chilli, brinjal, potato, powdered milk, meat, sugar etc.
Products, which were sold according to the price chart, were edible oil, garlic, salt etc.
Apart from a central chart installed at every kitchen market entrance by the city corporations, almost 90 per cent shops were found with price charts of their own.
A consumer was seen altercating with a grocer at Banalata Market over the price of sugar.
The grocer was charging Tk 48 for per kg sugar, which was Tk 44-45 per kg according to the displayed chart.
"The price of chickpea should be Tk 50-60 per kg based on quality as per their chart, but they are charging Tk 55-65 per kg," the consumer said.
Minimum price of coarse variety rice was Tk 33-34 per kg in the city kitchen markets. But both the central as well as the shop charts were showing the price at Tk 28-30 per kg at Banalta Market.
At Hatirpool Bazaar, onion was sold at Tk 38-40 per kg (local) and Tk 35 per kg (imported) when the charts were showing the price as Tk 35 (local) and Tk 25 (imported).
Potato price at the same market was Tk 25 per kg against the chart price of Tk 20 per kg.
When asked about the matter, a trader at the market said the chart was compiled three days back, which needs an update. But the FE found that the date of the chart was June 23, 2014.
A store at Palashi Market was seen displaying a chart, showing lentil (finer) price at Tk 100-102 per kg. But manager of the store was charging Tk 106-108 for per kg of lentil.
When asked he said: "It is the price fixed by the government, not by us."
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuyian told the FE that the government's steps to rein in essentials' prices ahead of the Ramadan are appreciable.
"But now it is time to implement the initiatives," he said.
Market monitoring should be increased and a helpline should be set up under commerce ministry where consumers can lodge complain, he opined.
Move to rein in essentials\\\' price hike turns futile
Yasir Wardad | Published: June 24, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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