The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Though the new fiscal budget has proposed withdrawal of tariffs on some essential commodities to contain the spiralling price, it has so far made no positive impact on the markets.

The prices of potato and soybean oil have increased, while 'ata' has reduced in the retail markets.

The prices of potato have shot up abruptly despite bumper production in the country.

In the retail markets per kg of potato was sold at Tk 18 to Tk 19 and at the wholesale markets it was at Tk 17 yesterday. The price of potato was sold at Tk 12 to Tk 13 last week.

Retailers at Karwarn Bazar potato market said they have to purchase potato in a high price so they cannot but sell it at a high rate.

Like potato, the prices of soyabean and palm oil have also increased from Tk 2 to Tk 4 per kg.

Per kg of soyabean oil was sold at Tk 114 to Tk 115 yesterday, which was Tk 112 last week and the palm oil was sold from Tk 106 to Tk 108 yesterday, which was Tk 103 and Tk 104 in the previous week. Different brands of five litre-canned soyabean oil were selling between Tk 565 and Tk 570.

Per packet of 2 kg ata was sold at Tk 80 yesterday, which was Tk 84 and Tk 85 last week.

The price of the coarse variety of rice remained unchanged, while it was expected to come within the purchasing capacity of the common man in view of the bumper harvest of Boro paddy in the country.

The per kg price of rice at the city's Babubazar wholesale market yesterday was 'lata' from Tk 28.30 to Tk 30, 'sarna' between Tk 31 and Tk 32.70, 'minicate' Tk 36 to Tk 38, 'paijam' Tk 32 to Tk 33 and 'nazirshail' between Tk 34.30 and Tk 40.70 and BR- 28 at Tk 32.

In the retail markets the coarse variety of rice 'lata' was sold at Tk 32, 'minicate' between Tk 38 and Tk 42, 'nazirshail' (depending on variety) from Tk 38 to Tk 44, BR-28 at Tk 34 and 'sarna' Tk 34 and Tk 35, 'paijam' (depending on variety) from Tk 34 to Tk 37 per kg yesterday.

Rice wholesalers claimed that the millers were controlling the prices of rice.

Moreover, the growers' reluctance to sell paddy at lower price to the Government did not let the price come down.

They, however, forecast that there was no possibility of a further increase in the rice price but would remain static in future.

Meanwhile, after the reopening of the 75 outlets run by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) men under operation 'Dal-bhat' programme in the city from June 10 has failed to draw notable number of customers as the coarse variety of rice was sold at Tk 30 per kg due to the withdrawn of subsidy by the Government on rice which was sold at Tk 25 previously.

The price of powder milk and other perishable items like egg, broiler chicken meat remained unchanged.

Local variety of lentils was selling from Tk 98 to Tk 102 per kg and imported ones at Tk 85 per kg in the retail markets.

Sugar was at Tk 34 and Tk 36 per kg. Per hali (4-pieces) of eggs was between Tk 22 and Tk 24.

The price of chicken was Tk 120 to Tk 125 per kg. Green chilli from Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg, cucumber Tk 18 to Tk 20, korola Tk 16 to Tk 20, tomato Tk 24 to Tk 28 and barbati Tk 16 to Tk 20 and jingha Tk 20 to Tk 22 per kg.

The price of different types of fish still remain high as Ruhi was selling from Tk 150 to Tk 180, medium size Hilsha from Tk 280 to Tk 350. Prices of red meat like beef was at Tk 180,while mutton from Tk 250 to Tk 260 per kg.