Kishoreganj Correspondent

The prices of onion, potato, soyabean, rice increased in the kitchen markets imposing a fresh blow to the middle-class and lower middle-class consumers who have been struggling to afford essential commodities due to soaring prices.The rising cost of daily necessities is creating several challenges to their survival. The prices hiked despite the government having recently reduced the import duty of onion, sugar , potatoes and some other imported goods.

According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB),the highest price for potatoes at this time last year was tk.52 per kg. Eggs and broiler chicken were also being sold above government -set price in Kishoreganj 's kitchen markets. On sunday, after visiting Bara Bazar, kachari Bazar and Puranthana kitchen markets and Dakbangla Bazer market , the New Nation Reporter saw, that per kilogram of onion was being sold at Tk120 which was Tk100 last week and potatoes at Tk80 in the local market.

Patato per kg being sold tk.70 to tk.72. Loose soyaben oil prices have gone up to tk.175 to tk.180 per liter from tk.165 to tk. 170. School teacher Md.Ziaur Rahman said he was surprised to see the fresh price hike in daily essentials. “The prices are going far beyond my afford limit.” An egg wholesaler Kishoreganj 's Bara Bazar kitchen Sunil Barmon said they have been selling dozen pieces of eggs at Tk.148 to tk.150 which was Tk.175 to 180 a few days back. An adequate supply of eggs reduced the price, he said.

Shahid Miah, a vegetables retailer in Bara Bazar said the price of almost all varieties of vegetables has fallen as the supply of winter vegetables increased in recent days. The price will fall more in the upcoming days, he predicted.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) in Kishoreganj president Alam Sarowar Tito said, the first demand of consumers the interim government is to reduce the price of products. The government has started working towards that goal. It has given duty exemption on several products to increase supply. Monitoring is also being done.Still, some products are being manipulated by dishonest businessmen.If necessary, the dishonest should be brought under strict punishment.

Agri marketing district officer Sarowar Hossain told the New Nation told that, the consumers of both vegetables, eggs and smaller fish will be glad when a huge supply of the vegetable will reach the market within the next two weeks following the winter"