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THE experience of the city dwellers regarding prices of essentials during the month of Ramadan is not a palatable one over the years. As the holy month of Ramadan is three weeks away, the prices of many essential food items are already mounting and it is an alarming sign for people with limited income. The unscrupulous traders always resort to hoarding a lot of food and food-related items to make some illegal gains out of them.
The media particularly the print media are always full of stories narrating the miseries of the poor and middle class people hit by unusual price spiral of essential commodities during Ramadan. The government tries to handle the situation through open market sale (OMS) drives and help the affected people have some relief. The commerce ministry has already issued warning against traders and hoarders. We already see prices of garlic, sugar, salt, onion etc. taking an upward move although Ramadan is weeks away. Such price hikes without any valid reason only creates further sufferings for the fixed income people and are preventable.
We see traders in the developed countries offering big discounts just before big festivals, but sadly it is just the reverse in our country. I think, the commerce ministry with the help of big wholesalers and traders will make sure that the prices of daily essentials do not go up and remain stable so that the common people can have a peaceful Ramadan and a happy Eid.
Masud Rana
Dhanmondi, Dhaka