Tetulia (Panchgarh) Correspondent:
On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, the Tetulia daily necessities market in Panchagarh has become upward. The prices of various products including potatoes, onions, garlic, cow milk, rice and chicken have increased in the wholesale and retail markets, causing worries among ordinary buyers in preparation for Ramadan. Due to this, they have complained that administrative supervision in the market is weak. There is no one to say that daily necessities are rising in Panchagarh.
Visiting various raw markets in the district, it can be seen that despite having adequate stocks, the prices of several products are increasing in a span of two to three days. Currently, potatoes are being sold at 10 taka per kg in the wholesale market, which is 15 taka in the retail market. Onions are 35 taka in wholesale, but 45 taka in retail. The price of garlic is 100 taka in wholesale, and over 140 taka in retail. Cucumbers are being sold at 70 to 80 taka per kg in the retail market and lemons at 60 to 90 taka per kg. Meanwhile, eggs are being sold at 36 taka, while chickpeas are being sold at 90 to 120 taka.
However, when we went to different shops in the market and checked the prices, we saw that many were charging higher prices.
Meanwhile, there has also been an increase in the chicken market. Local chicken has increased from 520 taka to 600 taka. The price of golden chicken has increased from 260 taka to 300 to 320 taka. In addition, buyers said that prices have also increased in the boiler chicken and rice markets.
Local buyers said that when Ramadan comes, a group of unscrupulous traders create artificial crises and increase prices. They believe that if there was regular and effective market monitoring, it would have been possible to control the prices of products. They claim that if the administration had strict surveillance, the prices of daily necessities would have been at a tolerable level during Ramadan.
We spoke to the old man Aliyor Rahman, who came to the Panchagarh raw market to buy Ramadan goods. He complained that although the prices of some things in the raw market are normal, the prices of many consumer goods have increased around Ramadan. Meanwhile, the highest prices are increasing in the chicken market.
Aminar Rahman said, I am worried about coming to the market for my house around Ramadan. The money I came to the market with is not meeting the demand for the house. The prices of every market have increased around Ramadan.
Meanwhile, buyers and locals complain that if effective supervision is not ensured in the market, unscrupulous syndicates become active. They have demanded strict surveillance and regular operations to ensure the comfort of the common people during Ramadan.
On the other hand, sellers say that the market is affected by the low import of some products and the increase in transportation costs. As a result, prices have increased slightly.
When talking to Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md. Sayemuzzaman, he said that special measures have been taken to control the market around Ramadan. Some temporary shops have been set up by the administration to control prices at low prices. He said that regular mobile courts and market monitoring will be strengthened.