Anisul Islam Noor :
The rice traders have claimed that additional transport cost due setting up of weight limit station in different highways is pushing the rice prices up in the capital.
They said for carrying 20-22 tonnes of rice from Rajshahi and Naogaon to Dhaka, the traders had to pay Tk 15,000-18,000 per truck as rent. But at present, 15 tonnes of rice is being carried at Tk 18,000 to 22,000 due to installation of weight limit station.
If the weight limit is crossed, Tk 5,000 is to pay per truck as fine in highways. With the increase of transport cost rice price is increasing, businesses and transport agency sources said.
While talking to rice traders in the capital, it has been learned that almost all rice prices have increased by up to Tk 2 per kg in a month that means Tk 100 increased per 50 kgs sack. Currently, mincut rice is sold at Tk 50-52 per kg, which TK 48 to 50 prior the setting of the load station. Similarly, BR-28 rice of Tk 36-38 is now being sold at Tk 38-40.
Abdur Rahim, proprietor of Taslima Rice Agency of Babubazar, told The New Nation that for carrying 22 to 25 tonnes of rice per truck from Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj they had to pay between Tk 20,000 and 22,000. Now, they are to pay the same amount for carrying 13-15 tonnes of rice.
Earlier, bringing 20-22 tonnes of rice from Jessore to Dhaka they had to pay Tk 18,000-19,000. At present, for the 13-15 tonnes rice, the rent is Tk 19,000-21,000. Due to the increased rent, the price of per kilo rice has increased from Tk one to ten per kg.
Dolan Barua, general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Transport Agencies Malik Samity, told this reporter that they have to pay Tk 5,000 more than the fixed amount due to the setting up of scales on different routes. As a result, there is an impact on the prices of the product. He stressed the need for easing the system for the transport of consumer goods.
According to rice owners, there was a good rice harvest this year in all the districts of the country. There was no problem in rice production due to favourable weather condition. The rice mill owners claimed that the government also knows the increase in rice price due to additional transport charge. They demanded to relax the scale conditions for consumer products.
The rice traders have claimed that additional transport cost due setting up of weight limit station in different highways is pushing the rice prices up in the capital.
They said for carrying 20-22 tonnes of rice from Rajshahi and Naogaon to Dhaka, the traders had to pay Tk 15,000-18,000 per truck as rent. But at present, 15 tonnes of rice is being carried at Tk 18,000 to 22,000 due to installation of weight limit station.
If the weight limit is crossed, Tk 5,000 is to pay per truck as fine in highways. With the increase of transport cost rice price is increasing, businesses and transport agency sources said.
While talking to rice traders in the capital, it has been learned that almost all rice prices have increased by up to Tk 2 per kg in a month that means Tk 100 increased per 50 kgs sack. Currently, mincut rice is sold at Tk 50-52 per kg, which TK 48 to 50 prior the setting of the load station. Similarly, BR-28 rice of Tk 36-38 is now being sold at Tk 38-40.
Abdur Rahim, proprietor of Taslima Rice Agency of Babubazar, told The New Nation that for carrying 22 to 25 tonnes of rice per truck from Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj they had to pay between Tk 20,000 and 22,000. Now, they are to pay the same amount for carrying 13-15 tonnes of rice.
Earlier, bringing 20-22 tonnes of rice from Jessore to Dhaka they had to pay Tk 18,000-19,000. At present, for the 13-15 tonnes rice, the rent is Tk 19,000-21,000. Due to the increased rent, the price of per kilo rice has increased from Tk one to ten per kg.
Dolan Barua, general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Transport Agencies Malik Samity, told this reporter that they have to pay Tk 5,000 more than the fixed amount due to the setting up of scales on different routes. As a result, there is an impact on the prices of the product. He stressed the need for easing the system for the transport of consumer goods.
According to rice owners, there was a good rice harvest this year in all the districts of the country. There was no problem in rice production due to favourable weather condition. The rice mill owners claimed that the government also knows the increase in rice price due to additional transport charge. They demanded to relax the scale conditions for consumer products.
