The price of BRI-28 rice sees a rise by Tk 5 per kilogram within a week, thanks to a weak monitoring by the authorities concerned.
Market insiders blame the syndicate for the rise of this variety of the rice, mostly consumed by the working class people.
Allegations are rife that mill owners and corporate bodies are responsible for creating unrest in the market.
But the government, like in the past, has brushed aside the claim saying there is no syndicate in the market.
Record shows that the BRI-28 rice was sold at Tk 60 per kg last on last Thursday. With a seven-day gap, the variety was found selling at Tk 65 per kg on Thursday.
Food secretary Ismail Hossain acknowledged the price hike of the rice.
“Rice of price has increased by Tk 1-2. It might be up due to the rise of the transportation cost,” he told the Bangladesh Post.
“We are enhancing the monitoring system. The price of rice will come down soon,” he added.
When asked whether the syndicate is responsible for the rise of rice price, he ruled out the claim saying there is no syndicate in the rice market.
Bangladesh Rice …owner Saiful Islam told the Bangladesh Post that the demand of BRI-28 variety has been increased during the flood as working class people consume the variety.
“Apart from this, the price of paddy is also sold at higher price,” he said.
Besides the rice, the prices of almost all varieties of chicken increased in the last few days.
The price of broiler increased by Tk 10 per kg. The broiler chicken was being sold at Tk 190 per kg while Sonali was sold at Tk 260.
Though Hilsha is aplenty in the market, the price remains high. Hilsha, weighing over a one-kg was sold at Tk 1800 while 1-kg size at Tk 1600 and between 600 to 900 gram hilsha was sold at Tk 1400 per kg.
Prices of different varieties of fish also remained high in the market. Pangas and Telapia were not available below Tk 230 per kg. The price of Ruhi (farm) fish was Tk 320-400 per kg. Among other species, Nala fish was sold at Tk 240, Grass carp at Tk 250, Puti at Tk 200 and Chandana fish at Tk 300.
Of the other essential commodities, potatoes were being sold at Tk 60 per kg while tomatoes at Tk 140, beans at Tk 240, papaya at Tk 30, ribbed gourd (Jhinga) at Tk 60, chichinga at Tk 60, yardlong bean (borboti) at Tk 70, sponge gourd (dhundal) at Tk 50, bitter gourd at Tk 60, ladies finger at Tk 50, pointed gourd (Potal) at Tk 60, spiny gourd at Tk 70, brinjal at Tk 60-80, sweet pumpkin at Tk 50, cucumber at Tk 40-50, taro root (kochur mukhi) at Tk 60 per kg.
Some 4 pieces of lemons were sold at Tk 30. The price of green chilli was Tk 160-200 per kg.
Like last week, per kg onion was sold at Tk 120, ginger at Tk 200 and garlic at Tk 220.
