Rice prices rise again in Kushtia

KUSHTIA, Sept 29: Rice millers have once again raised the prices of the staple by Tk 1-Tk 2 per kg in the district.

Fine rice, known as miniket, was selling at Tk 52-Tk 53 per kg at the wholesale market on Tuesday, up from Tk 50 on Saturday.

The prices of coarse rice varieties, such as BR-28, also went up by Tk1-Tk1.5 per kg during this period. BR-28 and Kajollata are being sold at Tk 46 and Tk 48 per kg respectively on the retail market.

The millers increased the prices on Sunday last amid widespread allegations of price manipulation against them.

The price hike comes at a time when the Kushtia district administration was busy holding meetings with the mill owners to keep the prices stable.

The second round of the meeting was held on Sunday last. Earlier, another meeting was held on Friday. It is alleged that several mills sold rice at higher prices at the mill gate even during the meeting.

The traders have increased the prices gradually over the last one and half months.

The price hike at the wholesale level is likely to have an impact on the retail market within one or two days, which will compound the sufferings of the common people, already battered by the rising prices of other essential items amid floods and the coronavirus outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Kushtia district administration formed a committee to assess the price situation.

The committee, led by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Sirajul Islam, held meetings with the representatives of Rice Mill Owners Association on Friday and Sunday.

While the meetings were going on, the price of miniket rice at mill gate increased by Tk 1-Tk 2 per kg.

Deputy Commissioner Aslam Hossain said that as the review committee was working, urgent steps would be taken to find out why the prices had gone up again.