News Desk: Consumer income has decreased in Corona situation but expenditure has increased. Because the prices of most daily commodities in the market are high. In the last one month, the retail price of medium-sized rice has increased by 1.89 percent per kg. And the price of coarse rice has increased by 4.35 percent per kg. The rice market is now hot.

According to the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), coarse rice is being sold at a retail price of 4.35 per cent in a year. All classes of consumers are suffering. On Friday, the capital’s Karwan Bazar, Nayabazar and Malibagh raw markets were visited and retailers were told that a maximum of Tk 60 per kg of pajama rice was sold on this day. Which was sold at 56 tk 1 month ago. Besides, gold rice has been sold at Rs 50-52 per kg. Which was sold at Tk 48 in the retail market 1 month ago.

Rezaul, a buyer who came to Nayabazar to buy rice, said the prices of all types of rice had been rising in the market for several months. It is very difficult to buy rice at higher prices due to declining income in Corona situation. The government has given a lockdown to reduce corona infection. For that reason there is no income. The money that is saved has to be used. The prices of goods have also gone up. I do not understand how to live.

Malibagh market buyer said. Ikhlas said there is no income in the lockdown. I used to go to the market every day with the money I got from day labor. But now there is no work. So there is no income. In this situation, the price of rice has gone up. If this continues, poor people like us will die without eating.

Didar Hossain, owner and retailer of Khalek Rice Agency in Malibagh Raw Market, said the price of all types of rice has been high in the market for the last few months. In the last few months, millers have gradually increased the price of rice. That is why the rice market is in turmoil. Whose charge falls directly on the consumer level.

Siddiqur Rahman, owner of Allah Dan Raus Agency in Kawran Bazar, said millers were not reducing the price of rice. They say the price will go down as soon as new paddy arrives. Millers look for opportunities to keep prices high. They increase the price whenever they get any excuse. The rice market has been volatile for the past few months due to the manipulation of millers.