Khulna Dec 28 (V7N)- Even though vegetable prices have fallen in Khulna city, prices of daily necessities including chicken, rice, pulses, oil, eggs have increased. The prices of all types of winter vegetables have fallen by at least eight to ten taka per kg. Despite repeated raids by the Department of Consumer Protection and other departments, the prices of edible soybean oil, chicken, beef, rice, pulses, oil, eggs and other daily necessities are not decreasing due to the syndicate and manipulation of a class of unscrupulous businessmen. However, the prices of rice and chicken have increased abnormally. Consumers are being tricked into cutting their pockets. As a result, low and middle-income people are in trouble.
On Friday, it was learned that coarse rice (golden) was sold at 54 taka per kilogram, Atash Balam at 65 taka, good quality miniket at 75 taka, low quality miniket at 65 taka, basmati at 75 to 76 taka, and black cumin at 120 taka per kilogram in the city's retail market

However, a month and a half ago, coarse rice (golden rice) was sold at 45 to 46 taka per kilogram, Atash Balam at 65 taka, good quality miniket at 70 taka, low quality miniket at 60 taka, Basmati at 75 to 76 taka, and black cumin at 110 to 115 taka. In other words, the price of rice has increased by at least five to six taka per kilogram.

The chicken market has become a hotbed. In various markets in the city, broiler chickens were sold at 200 taka per kilogram, layer chickens at 340 taka, cock chickens at 320 taka, golden chickens at 320 taka, and desi chickens at 470 taka. In a span of about two weeks, the prices of all types of chickens have gone beyond the purchasing power of low and middle-income consumers. Such information emerged when we inquired about the KCC Super Market on Approach Road in the city's Rupsha Traffic Intersection area and the KCC Sandhya Bazar area adjacent to Moylapota.

The price of beef is not decreasing in any way. Beef is being sold at a price of 700 to 750 taka per kilogram in markets in cities and remote rural areas. Due to the syndicate of traders, beef has been sold at a high price for several years. As a result, it has become difficult for low and low-income people to buy beef at a higher price. Although the Department of Consumer Protection has conducted mobile court campaigns in other business establishments to control the market price and imposed fines, no such campaign by the mobile court is being observed in beef shops. Consumers have expressed extreme anger over this.

The price of edible soybean oil has increased again. Bottled fresh, arrow, Bashundhara soybean (5 liters) is being sold at a price of 875 taka. Which is being sold at a price of 175 taka per liter. Loose soybean is being sold at a high price. In the retail market, soybean is being sold at 195 taka per liter.  Super oil is being sold in the market at a price of 178 to 179 taka per liter. However, a week ago, edible soybean bottled fresh, arrow, Bashundhara soybean (5 liters) was sold at a price of 860 taka. Which is being sold at a price of 172 taka per liter. Loose soybean is being sold at 190 taka per liter. Super oil is being sold at 180 taka per liter.

Eggs are still being sold at higher prices. On Friday, red broiler eggs were sold at 46 taka per kilogram, while white broiler eggs were sold at 44 to 48 taka per kilogram in the city and rural areas.
The prices of daily necessities including potatoes have suddenly decreased in the market. All types of vegetables are being bought at low prices. In various retail markets in the city, new potatoes are sold at 60 taka per kilogram, old potatoes at 40 taka, local onions at 70 taka, local Kalikata onions at 40 taka, Indian onions at 50 taka, local garlic at 240 taka, Chinese garlic at 220 taka, cauliflower at 30 taka, cabbage at 20 taka, turnips at 30 taka, winter beans at 20 taka, green chillies at 60 to 80 taka depending on the quality, brinjal at 40 to 50 taka, tomatoes at 60 taka, sweet pumpkin at 30 taka, papaya at 30 taka, red and green leafy vegetables at 20 taka. Raw bananas were sold at 20 taka per kilogram.

Earlier, on December 20, new potatoes were sold at 100 taka per kilogram, old potatoes at 70 taka, local onions at 100 taka, local Kalikata onions at 60 taka, Indian onions at 50 to 55 taka, local garlic at 240 taka, Chinese garlic at 220 taka, cauliflower at 40 taka, cabbage at 40 taka, turnip at 40 taka, winter beans at 40 taka, green chillies at 70 to 75 taka depending on the quality, brinjal at 60 taka, tomato at 100 taka, sweet pumpkin at 40 taka, papaya at 30 taka, red and green leafy vegetables at 35 to 40 taka. Raw plantains were sold at 30 taka per kilogram.
Md. Ripon Howlader, director of Apan Poultry Farm at KCC Super Market at Rupsha Traffic Intersection in the city, said that the prices of all types of chicken have increased.

However, the prices of other products and items including rice, pulses, oil, chicken, beef are not decreasing due to the syndicate of traders.  Md. Hafizur Rahman, a college teacher who came to the KCC Sandhya Bazar on Sher-e-Bangla Road in the city's Moylapota, said that although the prices of vegetables have decreased, the prices of other items need to be reduced. He said that several products including rice, pulses, fish, beef, chicken, soybean oil, eggs are still being sold at high prices. He commented that if the Department of Consumer Protection conducts mobile court drives in these businesses, the prices will come under control.

END/SDA/AJ