Pricey essentials cause severe sufferings to commoners

Staff Reporter :
In the midst of a severe economic crisis, the escalating prices of daily essentials are inflicting substantial suffering on ordinary citizens.

The relentless surge in food inflation is taking a toll on people’s purchasing power, leaving them grappling with unexpected financial challenges.

The high costs of staple items such as rice, vegetables, and fish have drastically diminished the ability of the poor to afford good-quality products, compelling them to settle for lower-grade alternatives, including fish bones.

Despite the government’s recent directives to lower rice prices, the benefits are yet to reach the common people.

Ongoing efforts by the Directorate General of Food and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to monitor and control price hikes in various godowns and markets have not proven entirely effective, as essential items remain prohibitively expensive for many.

A visit to Karwan Bazar in the capital yesterday revealed a distressing scene where people were resorting to purchasing fish bones.

Economic constraints have forced many to opt for these cheaper alternatives, with one kilogram of fish bones reportedly being sold for Tk 30 to Tk 40.

Amena Begum, a 50-year-old woman, shared her struggle, stating, “I cannot afford to buy good-quality fish. So, I am buying these fish bones which have meager flesh with them.”

The persistently high prices of essential commodities are contributing to a growing sense of economic hardship among the populace.

After the recent election, there has been an abrupt surge in the prices of rice and other essential commodities across the country, causing significant distress to ordinary citizens.

In an effort to mitigate this instability, the government has initiated drives in various markets.

As a result, the wholesale price of rice per bag (50 kg) has reduced by Tk 50 in the markets around the capital.

However, despite the decrease in wholesale prices, it seems that there has been no significant impact on the retail markets for both wholesale and local marketplaces.

Visiting Karwan Bazar in the capital on Monday, it was observed that the wholesale market was selling Miniket rice for Tk 68 to Tk 70 per kilogram, Nazirshail for Tk 66 to Tk 78, Swarna (broken) for Tk 48 to Tk 50, Swarna (parboiled) for Tk 48 to Tk 50, and coarse Aman rice for Tk 50 to Tk 52.

In contrast, sellers in the traditional marketplaces, particularly in Purba Rajabazar, continue to charge higher prices.

According to sellers dealing with coarse rice, the retail prices for Nazirshail are Tk 90, Miniket at Tk 75, Aman at Tk 60, and Swarna (broken) at Tk 55 per kilogram. Despite the government’s efforts, consumers expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the essential items are still expensive for them to afford.

The Directorate General of Food and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are conducting raids in various warehouses and markets to monitor the price hike, but the impact on retail markets remains a concern.

In the rice wholesale market of Karwan Bazar, rice seller Md. Jashim Uddin mentioned that due to the government’s campaign, the wholesale price of rice has reduced by Tk 50 per bag.

However, during the time of price increase, it has surged by Tk 300 to Tk 400 per bag.
Therefore, he emphasised that there has been no reduction in the retail price of rice at the consumer level.

During times of price hikes, the cost has increased by Tk 5 to Tk 6 per kilogram, while it has decreased by only Tk 1 following government’s direction.

He further stated that towards the end of the month, retailers tend to keep the price of rice Tk 2 lower. This is when retailers compromise on their profit margins. Therefore, whether the price decreases by Tk 1 or not, it remains the same at the consumer level, he said.

Similar statements were shared by Jubayer, a rice seller in Purba Rajabazar. He mentioned that the price of rice has decreased by Tk 1 per kilogram.

The stable supply of government-imported rice could help reduce market instability, according to these sellers.

In Karwan Bazar, rice wholesaler Md. Shahjahan stated that during the harvest season, mill owners increased the price of rice due to the availability of freshly harvested rice.
He suggested that the government should initiate rice imports to stabilise prices.

Another vendor, Jasim, mentioned that the price of rice has increased as before. He heard that the price has decreased by Tk 50 wholesale, but as a retailer, he has not witnessed any reduction.

They are still selling at an increased price because they have not yet received the reduced-price rice.

Monowar Hossain, another rice seller, stated that during times of price increase, the cost per bag has surged by Tk 400, while it has decreased by only Tk 20-30 during times of reduction.

The fluctuation in rice prices in the market has affected the common people, with the rising prices of daily essentials.

The lower and middle-income groups are finding it challenging to maintain their livelihoods.