Political unrest triggers price hike of essentials
Dwaipayan Barua
Traders here are on a frenzied spree to increase prices of essentials, including food items, taking advantage of the 'poor supply' of commodities due to political unrest.The wholesalers and retailers at the kitchen markets, including Bakshirhat, Reazuddin Bazar and Karnaphuli, on Sunday and Monday said only a few items, those were stocked a week ago, are available. They attributed this price hike to the countrywide unpredictable political situation. Potato, aubergine, cucumber and papaya that grow almost round the year are being sold at a much higher price. Potato is being sold at Tk 26 to 28 per kg, which was Tk 23 to Tk 24 per kg on the day before the Eid. Aubergine is being sold at Tk 28 to Tk 30. The consumers prefer cucumber and papaya most, as these are the only 'cheaper' items. The prices of cucumber and papaya ranged from Tk 16 to Tk 18 and Tk 12 to Tk 14 respectively at the city markets. Some off-season vegetables like patal, bean (barbati), kakrol, cauliflower and cabbage of poor quality are available in the markets but costly. Patal is being sold at Tk 24 per kg, barbati at Tk 30 and kakrol at Tk 36. The price of tomato is Tk 100 to 120. Shirin Afroze, a housewife, bought a cauliflower of one kg at Tk 34 from Bakshirhat Bazaar on Sunday. Iskandar, a seller, said the cauliflower and cabbage were brought from Satkhira and Jessore four days ago. The similar scenario prevailed at fish markets. A small-sized Ruhi fish is being sold at Tk 120 to 140 while a small hilsha of 'Chandpur' at Tk 200 to 250. Price of 100 eggs is Tk 440 against Tk 410 a week ago. Eggs of ducks rose to Tk 500 from Tk 470. Retailers sell an egg of hen at Tk 5. Prices of poultry have decreased as it is being sold at Tk 95 per kg which was Tk 115 just before Eid. Amir Hossain, a poultry seller of Bakshirhat, said, " I sold only 50 pieces of poultry in last two days while I used to sell around 100 to 130 pieces of poultry a day before the Eid." A trader at Karnaphuli market said prices of onion have increased as supply of Indian onion remained stopped for the last three days. It is being sold at Tk 25 per kg. Prices of other essentials also rose remarkably in the city markets. Abul Hasnat, a service holder, expressed his anger on the failure of control on markets as well as price hike of essentials by the authorities concerned. Though supply of vegetables and other food items started since Monday afternoon, shoppers are still charging exorbitant price.
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