In the greater Laksam upazila of southern Cumilla, a huge gap between wholesale and retail prices of daily essentials has been observed in various markets, where prices are skyrocketing under the excuse of floods. Day by day, the markets of various products are becoming unstable.
Using different excuses, those dishonest businessmen are becoming increasingly reckless. As a result, people of all professions are being cheated at the hands of those businessmen. Despite repeated mobile court drives by the local administration, due to dirty politics the rampant activities of those traders could not be reduced by multiple local agencies.
Several local sources reported that the people of this region have been victims of the devastation of the 2024 floods and dirty politics, and they are also terrified of the upcoming flood. On top of that, after 5th August, due to dirty politics, businessmen’s income is almost non-existent. As a result, the responsible role of the local administration in this matter is highly questionable.
To reduce the prices of essentials like rice, lentils, sugar, spices, vegetables, and edible oil in the markets, there is no alternative to strict monitoring. The monitoring of markets and mobile courts by the local administration should have been strongly reinforced. But that did not happen. Instead, a large portion of our limited income is being looted in the name of purchasing essential goods. Taking advantage of the bankruptcy of the local administration, local hoarders and traders are tactfully hiking the prices of essentials like an unbridled horse. Yet nobody seems to care. Especially, using the excuse of floods and due to government’s misguided policies, the prices of spices and other essentials are continuously rising. In the wholesale depots, compared to product prices, retail markets are charging 15–20 taka more per kg, and in some cases 5–10 taka extra.
Almost every essential product has a price gap of 10–15 taka per kg. Seasonal fruits, vegetables, and spices have gone beyond the purchasing power of ordinary people. No vegetable is available under 50–60 taka. Yet in other districts of the country, the prices at wholesale markets or production areas are half that. Cucumber, beans, tomatoes, and eggplants, along with other summer vegetables, are being deliberately made scarce by raw material traders, entering into an unhealthy competition to raise prices of early summer vegetables.
Sources further informed that yesterday (Tuesday), the wholesale price of lentils was 110–115 taka, but retail was 120–130 taka. Prices of different brands of edible oil have risen by 40–50 taka per kg. Outside the municipal towns of Laksam, Nangalkot, and Barura, many products are being sold at retail markets for 15–20 taka more per kg than wholesale prices. Rice, sugar, and edible oil still show a gap of 15–20 taka per kg between wholesale and retail markets.
Although abnormal for buyers, shopkeepers remain cheerful. Normally, prices could vary by 2–5 taka per kg. But despite the large supply of goods in the markets, traders are exploiting buyers through syndicates and commission business, pocketing unfair profits. The spice market is also ablaze with high prices, and groceries are increasing in price without any excuse. Though fish is somewhat controlled, chicken, beef, and mutton have gone beyond the purchasing power of ordinary people. Moreover, adulterated food items are widespread.
When asked about the matter through several phone calls, local administrative officials of the southern district cited manpower shortages and other issues, yet remained silent regarding market price control. In some cases, they admitted partial truth of the complaints, but pointed suspicion towards local businessmen while saying something different.
