The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

There were found mixed trend of prices of essentials at Khilgaon-Goran area on Friday. Prices of certain items increased while that of several others decreased which bemused the consumers. A buyer said, "I am at a loss to adjust myself with the price's nature of voyage in the country. Today, price of one kilo purbal is taka 20 whereas it was above taka 30 just two days ago. On the other hand, price of edible oil climbs to taka 190 for a can of two liter (Rupchanda brand), showing an increase of taka 10 in just last seven days. As the benefits of the withdrawal of tariff on edible oil have not reached us, we oppose any further move to withdraw import duty/VAT of any percentage on any imported item in future."

Meanwhile, river shad price of one kilo slightly increased by taka 10 to 20. When it was said, plenty of sea shad were being netted in the Bay of Bengal and the price had gone down there, the seller nodded his head in disbelief. However. the same day, prices of some other fish were as under:

Sheat price taka 180, walking fish taka 180, fri taka 120, mola taka 100, climbing fish taka 200, lancer (jial) taka 300 to 350, barbal taka 250, salmon taka 120, carp taka 120, shrimp taka 200 and shad taka 180. On the other hand, prices of vegetables are almost beyond purchasing capacity of the members of the lower income group. As for example, calery was selling at aka 20, palk at taka 32 and basil at taka 24.

One Abul Hossain (not real name) from Gabtoli, Bogra told the New Nation while traveling by bus to Ghazipur on Thursday last, "Price of one kilo green pepper in our area is taka 10 only. On arrival in Dhaka, I found it taka 80, which surprises me. Rice is also cheap comparing with Dhaka. In Bogra, the fine quality of rice sells at taka 20 to 22 per kilo because of bumper production." He also quoted the potato price as taka 22, brinjal taka 20, onion taka 55 and edible oil 85 only."

It is often said that the middlemen's intervention in the movement of the products from the hands of the producers to the consumers is one of the main causes of the price hike then why does not the government take appropriate measure to stop it? Said a college student.