During the Covid-19 crisis, prices of daily necessities continued rising. Last month, when the price of rice rose by three to five taka per kg, the government lifted restrictions on rice imports and the market restored stabilisation. But it lasted for a very short time. According to media reports, the price of coarse rice has gone up by Tk2 per kg in a week. The price of medium quality rice has also gone up. The price of this rice (BR-28) has increased to Tk50-52 a kg. However, the price of fine rice bought by upper and upper-middle class people has not gone up. Nazirshail is being sold for Tk80 per kg and Miniket for Tk60-62 per kg as it was before.
There is also a classification of rice in classified Bangladesh — coarse, medium and fine. Wealthy people buy fine rice. Therefore, if the price of coarse and medium rice goes up, the poor and limited-income people suffer a lot. Besides rice, the price of coarse lentils has also gone up by Tk5 per kg. Earlier, the price of pulses was Tk85 per kg which now is being sold for Tk90. If the price of other products goes up, consumers can compensate by buying the item in a smaller amount. But that is not possible in the case of rice. People have to eat a certain amount of rice to survive.
Once it was said that ‘Fish and rice make a Bengali’. Pulses and rice have taken the place of fish and rice in the context of an expensive market. Those who cannot afford to buy fish and meat meet their demand with pulses, rice and vegetables. This trend of price rise is not limited to the case for pulses and rice. Prices of fish, meat, sugar, edible oil and vegetables have also gone up. Last year, a lot of hilsa was caught in the sea and the price was also in the reach of the common people. This time, the supply of hilsa is less and the price is higher. As a result, costlier hilsa is also affecting prices of other fish as well. At the same time, if the price of Sonalika chicken increases by Tk40-45 per kg, it is very normal for people with limited income to get worried. The price of vegetables has also gone up. No pre-winter vegetables are available at Tk50 per kg. If one kg beans is sold at Tk120, how many can afford to buy it?
During the pandemic period, people’s income decreased to a great extent. On the other hand, the prices of essential commodities keep increasing. As a result, many people are buying fewer amounts of vegetables than they actually need. They also reduced buying fish and meat. Last year during the pandemic, the cost of living in the country increased by 6.88 per cent, which was the highest in three years. Observing the state of markets this year, we can easily assume that it will further increase. Where will the low and limited-income people go to survive?
Many countries, including India, have a wide range of rationing or low-cost daily necessities to reach low-income people. We do not have such a system here. If the government cannot introduce rationing, it can at least strengthen the market surveillance system. This will reduce, to some extent, the burden of rising commodity prices on people with limited income.
