Although the joint forces yesterday started monitoring the city markets in the wake of persisting price spiral of rice and some other essentials, price of rice varieties rose further at the wholesale markets.
A seller at Badamtali wholesale market said the price of all varieties of rice was hiked further in the morning yesterday. The price of rice was hiked three times on Sunday, he added.
Col MA Halim, director (operation and training) of BDR, told The Daily Star they have started patrolling the markets to watch over the price hikes.
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and BDR personnel were seen active during a visit to different wholesale markets. BDR men on several occasions were found discussing the issue with wholesalers and asking them to be alert so that no-one can unnecessarily hike the price.
The paramilitary men also invited the leaders of wholesale rice market associations to talks at their headquarters in this regard.
In the wholesale markets, price of coarse rice including Indian Swarna and Ratna was hovering between Tk 1,260 to Tk 1,300 a maund yesterday. Only one day ago, the items were sold at Tk 1,250-Tk 1,280 per maund.
Local coarse varieties were selling at Tk 1,160 to Tk 1,270 per maund, which was Tk 1,150 to Tk 1,250 the previous day. On the other hand, price of fine rice also rose by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per maund.
Sardar Mohammad Hossain, president of Badamtali and Babubazar Rice Wholesalers’ Association, said it will be illogical if the price rises further as new local rice is going to hit the market within 15 to 20 days.
There is no shortage of supply now and the stock in the wholesale and retail markets is quite enough for the rest 20 days, he added.
Several wholesalers and retailers were seen hanging the price chart, as instructed by the joint forces, so that no-one can claim additional price.
Col Halim said they would take “stern” actions against the individuals found guilty of irregularities.
IMPORT FROM INDIA RESUMES
Rice import through Bhomra land port resumed yesterday as at least 40 trucks with 520 tonnes of rice entered Bangladesh, reports our Satkhira correspondent.
The import remained halted since Thursday over dispute between the groups of Indian workers’ organisations, sources said.
Tags: Bangladesh, Bangladesh Economy, Caretaker Government, Economy
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Economy, Bangladesh News, Daily Bangladesh News, Economy, News
