Alam Sarowar Tito, Kishoreganj

The consumers in the country are hostage to the market syndicate. Consumers are finding it difficult to cope with the financial pressure due to the prices of rice, pulses, edible oil, eggs, fish and meat. Kitchen markets situation is in turmoil due to the manipulation of the syndicate. Even during the peak season, the prices of potatoes and onions remain high. One kg of potatoes has risen to tk.75- 130. Onions are being sold at 90to 100 taka even in season. Soybean oil has been reduced in supply and eliminated. Except for one or two, a kilogram of vegetables is being sold at 60-80 taka, some vegetables are being sold at over 100 taka.

Even during the previous Sheikh Hasina's government, the syndicate could not be broken and the consumers were not relieved. Rather, the syndicate was given benefits by announcing tax exemptions and increasing the prices of products at various times.The ienterim Government has assured to control the market, they are not able to provide any solution. In such a situation, the common people of the country are not able to manage their income and expenses.

According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) on Sunday, rice is being sold at a maximum price of 8 percent more per kilogram compared to the same period last year. Edible oil is being sold at a price of 9 percent per liter, pulses are being sold at a price of 3 percent per kilogram, garlic is being sold at a price of 15.91 percent, turmeric is being sold at a price of 20 percent, and fish and meat are being sold at a price of 7 to 15 percent more.

Market stakeholders saids , the government needs to take some policy decisions to control the market. Consumers did not get any benefits from the previous Sheikh Hasina government. People have high expectations from this government, which was established through a mass uprising. People want some changes to come quickly. Since they are founded on a revolutionary spirit, people want to see action. They believe that several government agencies are supervising the retail level and fulfilling their responsibilities, and that the syndicate is not breaking up because the powerful are being given concessions.

Currently, there is a need to monitor the kitchen market. Supervision has been strengthened at the retail level, traders are being fined. But those who are powerful are remaining out of reach.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), in Kishoreganj president Alam Sarowar Tito said that, the common consumers of the country are hostage to some unscrupulous traders. The government also knows who is increasing the prices of which products. In what way is it increasing them? The reins are visible, if you pull the reins, everything will be fine. But why it is not being done is a matter of seeing. Because the common people have high expectations from the interim government.