The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Low and middle-income group of people have been taken off their feet by the sudden jump in prices of essentials including edible oil and wheat in the local markets.

The joint forces yesterday started selling rice through dealers at Tk 22 per kg in areas surrounding Dhaka to stem the spiralling price of the staple. The sale began in 29 unions in Keraniganj, Dohar and Nawabganj with three selling centres in each union. Excessive price of essentials and a fear of further price-hike also gave rise to panic buying among some middle and higher income groups.

Meanwhile, leaders of different political parties suggested solving the present crisis of essentials.

Although the price of winter vegetables are reasonable compared to other essential items, the customers looked puzzled while shopping in the city markets yesterday.

Coarse variety of rice was sold at Tk 44 to Tk 45 per kg while soyabean oil at Tk 100 per litre.

While visiting different shopping centres a consumer said, "We have no other option, but to buy for our survival."

While visiting various areas this correspondent found long queues of poor people at BDR sales centres in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, in the joint force-led selling centres the rice has been allocated from the Test Relief Programme and is being sold to the dealers at Tk 20 to Tk 21. The dealers are selling the rice to the people at Tk 22.

According to the camp commander, one person can buy a maximum of five kg per day at this price. Coarse rice is selling at Tk 33 per kg in the retail market. Seventy distributors have been appointed under this programme. The programme will continue for another seven days in the three upazilas. The rice selling centres will remain open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. As much as 8,000 tonnes will be sold every day in the 29 unions of the three upazilas.

Major Farid, camp commander of the three upazilas, said, "Upazila Nirbahi officers, Union Parishad chairmen, rice traders and government officials are extending 'all-out support' to see the programme succeed. If rice price does not become stable in other areas, such programmes will be introduced throughout the country in phases."

UNB added that in view of the grim situation, the major political parties, including Awami League (AL), BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, urged the Caretaker Government to give subsidy to rice and start OMS, VGF or 'Food for Work' programmes to cope with the situation.

The AL presidium at a meeting on Thursday demanded of the government to sit with the political parties to work out a plan for overcoming the crisis.

The meeting also called for giving subsidy to rice, introducing reopening in rural areas and starting OMS to stabilise the market.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said, "A garment worker earns Tk 37.50 per day but buys one kg of rice at Tk 35. How will poor workers survive in this suffocating condition?"

Another BNP leader Maj (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed said, "The government should immediately procure rice through spot tenders and introduce VGF and rationing to bring the situation under control."

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami said, "Prices went up abnormally and all should work together in facing the problem. The government must ensure fertiliser during the Boro cultivation, otherwise it might aggravate the situation."