The New Nation - Internet Edition

A.T.M.Nurun Nabi

Price of almost all vegetables and potherb items with the exception of potato and papaw increased as per whims of the retail sellers during the last four days from Thursday despite the efforts of the government to keep prices stable. As a result, the members of the middle and the lower-income groups have become worried about the increased cost of living.

It is admited that the recent flood has damaged a large quantities of the standing crops including vegetables on about 14 lakh acres of land.

Yet the saved part of the vegetables are sufficient as it appears from the inflow into Dhaka from the rural areas. In addition, the farmers have begun to recultivate vegetables and though it will take time to bring those in the markets, yet, the price so demanded by the retailers is exorbitant and illogical.

In the market economy as practiced in Bangladesh, fixation of price of essentials depend much on the business circle. They reportedly look after own interests, and less concerned with the sufferings of the poor. As for example, when the interim government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmad sealed the godowns containing roten and adulterated foodstuffs, the businessmen followed dilly dally tactics in opening of the leters of credit for import of the foodstuffs though they later became active. The government soon realised the situation and began to reconcile with traders.

No measure to keep the price reasonable can be successful without building own mechanism. The New Nation has repeatedly expressed the view of reactivating TCB, involving Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS) and expanding the areas of Bangladesh Rifles. If these three disciplined organisations work with plan, there is no reason that the price will not come down.

It is often said of business syndicate that controls prices. Political philosopher Pareto said, "Elite consists of those successful persons who rise to top in every occupation and stratum of society; there is an elite of lawyers, elite of mechanics and even elite of thieves."

According to him, every society may have a small group of persons who dominate the political and economic forces of the country. Integrity is one of the qualities of the elite people. They take decisions together, execute it together and face pressure together.

The economic elite is more powerful than the political elite. The government's initiative to reconcile with the business circle good is the evidence that economic elites are stronger than political elites. Law alone cannot bring success.

Islam disapproves of food items. According to the principle of Islam, no food item could be hoarded for more than three days. The government can take initiative to preach on Radio and television, it will surely manufacture a good result