Nahid slams price hikes, alleges syndicates’ return

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam has questioned sharp increases in the prices of malta, aromatic rice, eggs and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), alleging that powerful syndicates are once again controlling the market.

He said prices of almost all essential commodities had increased since the BNP government assumed office. He made the remarks in a Facebook post on Monday night.

“Which commodity has not become more expensive since this government took office? The prices of rice, flour, cooking oil, sugar, chicken, fish, vegetables and almost every essential commodity have gone up,” Nahid said.

“People’s incomes have not increased, yet the cost of living has continued to rise,” he added.
Nahid said malta was being sold for Tk 550 per kg, although he believed its retail price should be no more than Tk 250. He said aromatic rice was selling for Tk 240 per kg, compared with Tk 120 during the tenure of the interim government.

He also said eggs were selling for Tk 160 a dozen, while LPG prices had risen sharply, with retailers in many cases charging Tk 1,000 more per cylinder than the government-set price.

Nahid claimed that people were largely spared the influence of powerful syndicates during the 18-month tenure of the interim government.

“But after the election, we would like to know who is backing these syndicates and who is behind their renewed activity,” he wrote.

He further alleged that people were already struggling with rising fuel prices and extortion by BNP leaders and activists.

“On top of that, they are once again falling victim to syndicates, as they did during the fascist regime,” he said.

The NCP convenor called for the practice to be stopped immediately, describing it as a system for “plundering people’s hard-earned money.”

“Strict action must be taken against those involved in the syndicates. No other malign force should be allowed to play with the lives and livelihoods of the people of this country,” he said.