Despite various government initiatives, the overall market situation is yet to witness relief with prices of nearly all daily necessities increasing abnormally, rendering consumers helpless.

For the past few days, despite adequate stocks of potato, the price of the item has gone up unreasonably. Similarly, despite the country producing a record amount of paddy, rice prices have increased beyond the general people's purchasing capacities.

Likewise, the prices of many other daily necessities have also made the general buyers uncomfortable. People who have lost their income, especially during Coronavirus, are facing hardships in maintaining daily life.  

According to the market price update, prices of seven vegetables have reached Tk 100 per kg. Most of the remaining vegetables are also selling at around Tk 100 per kg. And the price of potato, which has almost doubled, is Tk 50 per kg.

Visiting the capital's different kitchen markets, this reporter found retailers selling potatoes at Tk 45 to Tk 50 per kg, up from Tk 30 a month ago. However, the government has fixed the potato price at Tk 30 per kg at the retail level.

But, at Rampura kitchen market, vegetable traders said, if they are unable to collect potatoes from wholesale or cold storages as per the government price, so, could not sell it at Tk 30 per kg.

Vegetable trader Ibrahim at Rampura said, “We are purchasing potatoes at Tk 40 to Tk 42 at the wholesale level, while adding, at all costs we have to sell it at at least Tk 50 per kg.”

On the other hand, consumers said, As long as the government officials conduct their drive, it seems everything is under control. But as soon as they depart from here, everything goes back to its previous situation.

Like in the past week, beans, tomatoes, carrots, brinjal and bitter gourd were selling at Tk100 per kg. Of these, tomatoes are still selling at Tk 120 to Tk 140 per kg and carrots Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg. In the last week, beans were selling at Tk 120 to Tk 140 per kg, and a kg of bitter gourd was Tk 60 to Tk 100 based on quality. String bean is now selling at Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kg, brinjal is selling at Tk 80 to Tk 110 per kg.  

Parwal is selling at Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg, pieces of gourd are at Tk 60 to Tk 70. Four plantains are selling at Tk 40 to Tk 50, and ribbed gourd, sponge gourd, and snake gourd at Tk 50 to Tk 70 per kg and green chili, Tk 250 to Tk 300 per kg.

On the other hand, broiler chicken prices remained the same as in the past week. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 135 per kg, local chicken per kg, Tk 450, Sonali chicken Tk 250. On the other hand, beef was selling at Tk 600 and mutton, Tk 900 per kg.  

The Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection (DNCRP) is conducting a special operation to control the price of potatoes in the wholesale and retail markets in the capital.  

Despite several surveillance team drives, syndicates have continued to increase prices on various pretexts. Consumers feel that the market will not be relieved if action is not taken against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, sources in the Commerce Ministry said that a team comprising several ministries including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Food, City Corporation and District Administration monitors the market every morning. The team instructs to keep a price list at each market and for the traders to keep the price of the product according to the price list.