Rangpur plays an important role in paddy and rice production. The price of rice has increased abnormally in this area known as granary. Recently, the price of rice has increased by Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kg depending on the type of rice. Although there are thousands of 1 mound sacks of rice in the warehouses, the price of rice continues to rise. It has been alleged that the tycoon-businessmen themselves have created this situation by creating an artificial crisis. Price hike of rice market is not stopping even after conducting raids against them and fining them.
Meanwhile, due to the sudden increase in the price of rice, low-income people, middle-class families including laborers are in extreme trouble.
The truck came loaded with rice. Going down to the rice warehouse of the market. Common people cannot find the reason for the increase in the price of rice even though there is so much stock. However, traders claim that after the increase in the price of fuel oil, the price of all types of rice has increased due to the increase in the cost of transportation. Wholesalers said that the price of rice has been increased by Tk 300 to Tk 400 per 50 kg bag. However, retail buyers and sellers claim that the price of rice is being charged more at the retail level compared to the transportation cost.
One of the largest rice markets in the country, Rangpur City Market and Mahiganj Market, it can be seen that coarse rice priced at Tk 40 per kg has increased by Tk 50 and is being sold at Tk 50 per kg. Domestic gold rice of 50 taka per kg is being sold at the rate of 58 to 60 taka. Miniket rice of 60 taka per kg is being sold at the rate of 70 taka with an increase of 10 taka per kg. Bridhan-28 variety of rice at 54 taka is being sold at 62 taka. Local traders say the price of rice has gone up due to large millers stockpiling thousands of sacks of rice and creating an artificial crisis. Although they blamed the big millers, there were allegations that thousands of sacks of rice were illegally stored in the warehouses of traders in City Bazar and Mahiganj Mokam. However, no pundit could give a clear answer as to why the price of rice increased by Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kg overnight which was two weeks ago. However, they are responsible for increasing the price of fuel oil.
Afzal Sharif, the manager of a warehouse, admitted that more than 2,000 sacks of rice were stored in their storehouse for a month. Thousands of sacks of rice have been sold. But he could not give any explanation about selling the rice bought long ago at high price. Similarly, Sahib Ali, the manager of another big retailer, said the same thing. One and a half to two thousand sacks of rice are always stocked in their storehouse. From here they sell rice, and bring rice from different districts including Dinajpur, Naogaon. Regarding the increase in the price of rice even though they had bought rice at the previous price two weeks ago, he said, "Even though we bought rice at the previous price, now they have to sell at a higher price due to the increase in the price of rice on major occasions.
Mahiganj area of Rangpur city, one of the largest rice destinations in the country, has hundreds of rice traders. At least 30,000 to 40,000 sacks of rice have been bought at the previous rate. They are grabbing hundreds of crores of rupees by increasing the price of rice by showing artificial crisis. Small rice traders alleged that they have done this in the last 15 days. They alleged that few big traders and millers are behind destabilizing the rice market.
Agricultural experts say that Rangpur is one of the surplus areas in the country in the production of paddy and rice. There is no reason for the unusual increase in the price of rice here because of the recent boom in Boro paddy. It is a manipulation of the syndicate.
Obaidur Rahman Mandal, deputy director of the Directorate of Agricultural Extension, Rangpur, said that every year, 150,000 metric tons of rice produced only in Rangpur district meets the needs of other districts of the country. This year, paddy was cultivated in 1 lakh 31 thousand 750 hectares of land in the district during Boro season. The yield has also been good as the weather has been favourable. About 5 lakh 61 thousand 777 metric tons of rice has been produced. He also said that the people of Rangpur district have a demand of 350,000 metric tons of Boro rice. There will be a surplus of more than two and a half lakh metric tonnes of rice, which will meet the needs of other districts of the country. There is no reason to increase the price of rice in Rangpur during the peak season. It is manipulation by syndicates, strict action should be taken against them.
Meanwhile, due to the abnormal increase in the price of rice, the low-income people, the lower and middle-class families, including the laborers, are in a crisis. Abdul Karim and Sadek Ali, rickshaw drivers of Rangpur city, said that our income has not increased but the price of rice has increased abnormally. Coarse rice from Tk 40 per kg has gone up to Tk 50. The way the price of rice is increasing, it has become impossible for people of low income like us to eat less in the family.
