Those who artificially raised prices did the country a great disservice

The prices of rice, edible oil, beef, sugar, egg and onion have risen more in Bangladesh than that of the international markets, affecting the poor people who are already suffering from erosion of purchasing capacity for pandemic caused income losses, said the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today.

Garlic, ginger and onion prices soared in the capital throughout last week as traders fear that China may not resume business operations after its Lunar New Year break is over.

Admitting that the people suffered a lot due to skyrocketing prices of onion, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque in parliament has assured that such problem will not be there in the next year.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said he could not predict exactly when onion price will come under control in the country.

The wholesale onion markets in the capital see the low turnout of buyers as the price of the daily essential has gone beyond the purchasing capacity despite the government’s mechanisms to cool down the overheated market.

As onion prices spiral out of control fuelled by a supply shortage, a huge amount of rotten onion was found to be dumped in Chaktai canal adjacent to Karnaphuli River.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun in the parliament claims that the onion price has come under control at present.

Claiming that the hike in the onion price is a planned one by a syndicate, a consumer rights body urges the government to take immediate steps to arrest the skyrocketing price of the cooking ingredient.