The government-fixed prices for potatoes, eggs and local onions have not been effective even after one and a half months of taking decisions to make it a reality.
Rather, the prices of onions and eggs have increased by this time.
On September 14, the prices of potatoes, eggs and local onions were determined in a meeting of the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Livestock.
According to the market information, when the prices were fixed, the price of onions was between Tk70 and Tk 80 per kg in the market, which is now selling at Tk 90 to Tk 100.
Besides, the price of each dozen eggs was between Tk 150 to Tk 155, which is now being sold at Tk 160 to Tk165 depending on the market location.
However, the price of potatoes has not increased during that period, it has remained stable. When the price was fixed on September 14, the price of potatoes was Tk 45 to Tk 50, and it is still the same.
The National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate is conducting market operations to enforce this price. However, it is not working as there is a shortage in supply.
Some 15 million eggs have been allowed to be imported, but those eggs have not yet arrived in the country. The Ministry of Commerce said that the eggs would arrive within the last week, but now the importers are saying that it is not possible before Puja. India-Bangladesh land ports were closed on Puja holidays.
Customers have to pay Tk 45 to Tk 50 per kg to buy potatoes. Although the fixed rate is Tk 35 to 36. The fixed price of the local variety of onion is Tk 64 to 65. Although the local onion is being sold at Tk90 to 100 per kg.
The price of eggs is sold at the rate of Tk53 to 55 per hali (4 pieces) egg at some places in the capital against the government-fixed price of Tk48 per hali.
In this regard, the vice president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) SM Nazer Hossain told UNB that the ministries just declared their decision to fix the prices of onions, potatoes and eggs.
The government and the relevant ministries did not take measures to implement the prices, which also encouraged rogue businessmen to increase the prices of essential items, he said.
