The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The price of different varieties of rice, lentils and vegetable remained high in the city retail market yesterday while the month of Ramzan is only eight days ahead.

On the other hand the price of soybean and ata have slightly declined from its previous price.

Though the price of rice, lentils, and wheat have reduced notably in the international markets but so far it did not create any positive impact on the local markets, said market experts.

If this upward trend of commodity price is continued then the initiatives taken by the government to contain the price hike would not be possible before the start of Ramzan, said customers.

Increased prices of essential items are burning a hole in our pockets, they added. They called upon the government to take initiatives urgently for arresting the ever-growing prices of essential commodities.

They alleged that some unscrupulous businessmen were deliberately increasing the prices of commodities for making windfall profit despite the existence of sufficient supply of the necessary commodities to the markets.

They urged the government to start strict market monitoring before the beginning of Ramzan so that none could deceive the consumers.

The price of lentils and onion are yet to be reduced to a tolerable level despite sufficient supply in the market with strong stock backing.

Businessmen at Sham Bazar said, presently there is sufficient stock of lentils and onion in the local markets. Besides, every day thousands of tonnes of onion are being imported to the country from the neighbouring countries. Traders at Moulvi Bazar yesterday said, the prices of all varieties of soybean oil were reducing due to the reduction of price in the international market.

There is a little chance to further increase of soybean oil as we have taken initiatives to import sufficient crude oil before the start of Ramzan, they added.

On the other hand per sack of sugar containing 50 kg's has increased by Tk 200 yesterday in the wholesale market.

Rice of coarse variety was sold at Tk 34, minincate 40 to Tk 44, lata between Tk 37 to Tk 38, nazirshail at Tk 42 to Tk 44 yesterday.

Per packet of ata containing two kg was sold at Tk 75 that was Tk 78 and sugar at Tk 35 to Tk 36 which showed no change over the last some days.

Per kg of soybean was sold at Tk 112 yesterday, which was Tk 116 to Tk118 and super soybean at Tk 96 per kg that was Tk 100.

Local variety of onion was sold at Tk 32 to Tk 34 while imported ones between Tk 22 to Tk 24 yesterday.

One kg of Dano powdered milk was sold at Tk 560 and Diploma at Tk 505 which were at Tk 535 and Tk490 respectively.

Potato was sold at Tk 17 to Tk 18, papaya at Tk 14 to Tk 16, green chilli at Tk 60 and tomato at Tk 65 to Tk 70 per kg yesterday.

To ease the situation during Ramzan the government has reintroduced its Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice at Tk 28 per kg in the capital and other parts of the country.

Under the programme, one person can buy maximum 3 kg's of rice per day.

OMS dealers said the daily allotment of 765 kg of rice each is too small compared to the large number of people who crowd their shops.

Many of the dwellers in the capital do not know exactly where the OMS centres are located although they have come to know about the programme through television and newspapers.