The New Nation - Internet Edition

Syful Islam

Multifarious economic factors including price hike of essentials and recent hike of fuel oil price make people's life miserable.

The price hike of fuel oil immediately hit the people's pocket as the transport sector raised fare the same day. Transport owners raised fare at their sweet will paying no heed to government directive. Earlier, the gas run transport owners did the same following price hike of compressed nitrogen gas (CNG).

Informed sources said the government is considering increase of electricity price soon. Experts say probable rise of power price will also hit common people leaving their life to more vulnerable position.

In recent days price of almost all commodities have gone out of the reach of common people forcing them to forego their one or two meals. People are passing through tough time due to price hike of essentials and increase in their living costs.

The price rise of fuel oil skyrocketed the price of essential commodities mounting people's sufferings. Rice price in the city's kitchen market have risen by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kilogram due to higher transportation costs. Stakeholders said most of the rice supplied to the city comes from Nowgaon and Kushtia districts. Following the fuel price hike fare of truck from the two areas to Dhaka city have risen by Tk 2,000 and Tk 3,000.

The increased transportation cost has affected every sphere of people's life. Price of essential and non-essential commodities continue to rise. Common people will fall into big problem if the rise continues, experts apprehend. They said the fuel price increase will further rise inflation rate.

A close market monitoring has been suggested so that the unscrupulous businessmen cannot continue to increase price of commodities.

On the other hand, volume of investment has declined drastically in the recent days creating a gap in the employment generation. Educated youths are staying out of employment. This is creating a big social problem in an environment of high price.