The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

In the wake of ferocious cyclone SIDR unscrupulous businessmen are taking advantage of the crisis and hiking prices of essential commodities in the markets.

In a random sampling of different city markets, it was seen that the prices of soybean oil, pulses and vegetables, including onion and chili were increased.

Due to the National Power Grid failure leading to power outage, the city dwellers had to buy candles at double to thrice its original price.

According to the city markets on Saturday, the price of per kilogram onion (Bangladeshi) was at Tk 66 to Tk 70, while the Indian variety at Tk 56 to Tk 60. The onion price increased by Tk five to Tk eight per kg yesterday.

Accordingly, soybean oil was selling at Tk 90 per litre, masur and maskolai dal (pulses) at Tk 76 to 80 per kg, Indian masur dal at Tk 65 to Tk 70 and chili at Tk 48 to Tk 60 per kg.

The prices of other vegetables were also higher than before on Saturday.

Businessmen and vendors said the prices could climb higher, if the transportation and communication systems were not restored soon.