The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Prices of vegetables and fishes slightly increased and different varieties of rice remained high in the city market yesterday.

We hoped that the prices of essential items would come down after budgetary measures taken by the government to curb price hike, but practically they are still maintaining a high trend, customers said.

The soaring prices of necessary items are adding extra burden on our limited budget and forcing us to curtail expenditure in other areas, they added.

They suggested that the Government should form a market regulatory commission with a view to checking the price hike and reining the market syndicate.

Meanwhile,the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has decided to import 3,000 tonnes of pulses (musur), 3,000 tonnes of edible oil, 500 tonnes of onion and 500 tonnes of grams to keep their prices stable during the month of holy Ramzan.

The joint forces comprising Army, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and Ansars will also monitor the market, informed sources said.

The coarse variety of rice 'lata' was sold at Tk 34 to Tk 35, 'minicate' between Tk 42 and Tk 44, 'nazirshail' (depending on variety) from Tk 40 to Tk 44, BR-28 at Tk 37 to Tk 38 and BR-29 at Tk 36 to Tk 37 per kg yesterday in the retail markets. Per packet of 2 kg ata (flour) was sold at Tk 78 yesterday.

Prices of soybean oil remained unchanged with non-packed one was selling between Tk 122 and Tk 125 per kg and branded soybean packed in five litre cans were selling Tk 610. Palm oil was sold from Tk 110 to Tk 112 per kg yesterday.

Supply shortages pushed up prices of different fish high. 'Ruhi' was selling between Tk 150 and Tk 180, 'shrimp' at Tk 450 to Tk 500, small size of 'molla' fish at Tk 140 to Tk 160 per kg and medium size of 'hilsha' from Tk 350 to Tk 400 yesterday.

Prices of chicken and eggs remained high due to short supply, claimed by retailers. Per hali (four of each) was between Tk 24 and Tk 28 and broiler meat was at Tk 100 to Tk 110 per kg. Beef were at Tk 190 and Tk 200 and while mutton from Tk 260 to Tk 280 per kg.

Per kg of local variety of lentil (masur) was selling from Tk 108 to Tk 110 and imported one was at Tk 96 to Tk 98 . Potato was sold at Tk 16 to Tk 17, papaya was between 16 and Tk 18 korola at Tk 28 to Tk 30 and barbati Tk 24 to Tk 28 per kg in the retail markets.

Sugar was at Tk 35 and Tk 36 per kg. Per hali (4-pieces) of eggs was between Tk 24 and Tk 28.