In an effort to control the prices of essential commodities, the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection (DNCRP) along with students conducted a drive at Karwan Bazar in the capital on Friday.
They visited various shops to monitor the trading activities closely. During the drive, a shop was fined Tk 50,000 and sealed off for irregularities.
As the prices of several commodities have shown a downward trend, consumers called for stepping up monitoring to bring down the prices of essentials further.
Over the past week, onion prices have surged while rice prices have remained steady. The prices of rice increased by Tk 2 to Tk 4 per kilogram (kg) during recent movement
nd still remain high.
During visit to different kitchen markets in the capital, it was found that good quality onions are being sold at Tk 120 per kg, up by Tk 10 from the previous rate. However, imported Indian onions are being sold at Tk 100 to Tk 110 per kg.
The prices of vegetables have dropped in the kitchen markets. Papaya is selling at Tk 30 per kg. The prices of other vegetables selling between Tk 80 and Tk 100 have now dropped to Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg.
Pointed gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, and okra are being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg. Even these vegetables are sold at Tk 40 to Tk 50 in some markets. Eggplant and cucumber are selling at Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg, while yard long beans, which were priced at Tk 120 a few days ago, are now sold at Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg.
Before the fall of the government, the price of green chilli hit Tk 600 per kg. Now its prices range from Tk 180 to Tk 240 per kg, depending on the market.
Imran, a vegetable seller at Rampura market said, “The prices of all vegetables are decreasing. The wholesale prices are also dropping. If prices remain low at the wholesale market, they will be low here as well.”
On the other hand, coarse rice of Swarna variety is selling at Tk 55 to Tk 56 per kg, while Paijam rice is being sold at Tk 58 to Tk 60 per kg. Atash rice price has increased by Tk 3 to Tk 4 per kilogram over the week, with Miniket selling at Tk 70 to Tk 73 and Nazirshail at Tk 72 to Tk 75 per kg.
Mustakim, a rice trader in the same market said, “During student movement, the prices of rice increased by Tk 200 per sack at the wholesale market due to transport disruptions. The prices have not decreased since then.”
The price of broiler chicken has decreased by Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kg, now selling at Tk 150 to Tk 160 per kg. Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk 240 to Tk 250 per kg. The price of farm eggs has decreased by Tk 5 per dozen, now selling at Tk 145.
In the fish market, Rui is selling at Tk 340 to Tk 360 per kg, Tilapia at Tk 220 to Tk 240, and Pangas at Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg. But the price of Hilsa has increased.
