An alleged hoarding of paddy and rice by a syndicate has pushed the price of rice up in markets across the district.
The syndicate is causing a shortfall of the staple food crops and consequently hiking the price in the markets ahead of Ramadan, said a source.
Although this is the peak season for Boro harvesting, the price of different varieties of rice has increased by Tk3-4 per kg in less than 15 days.
Low-to-middle income groups are being hit hard by the price hike.
The price of Boro paddy has, in less than two weeks, increased from Tk2.5-Tk3 per kg to Tk3-Tk4 per kg.
Owners of rice mills said, rice is currently being purchased by the government at the fixed price of Tk29 per kg.
Rice millers are supplying rice to the government warehouses as per their agreement.
They said the price of newly harvested Boro paddy has increased from Tk2.5 to Tk3 per kg at different markets of the district.
Some dishonest businessmen are creating an artificial crisis of paddy in markets, after making purchases from farmers, cashing in on the situation.
Abdul Latif, a rice mill owner at Kazanogor, told the Dhaka Tribune that the rice millers were supplying rice to the government as per their contract; otherwise their licences would be cancelled.
Taking advantage, some rice traders have increased the price of rice in wholesale markets.
As a result the effect has fallen on retail markets and the price has increased from Tk3 to Tk4.
Rice traders said the demand for thin rice, including Miniket, is higher than coarse rice.
Most traders in the district procure rice from around 3,000 rice millers.
While visiting different markets in the district, it is found that Miniket rice is being sold at Tk36 per kg while the same quantity was sold at Tk32 about two weeks ago.
Also, Guti-Swarna, a variety of rice, is now being sold at Tk26 per kg while local Swarna at Tk27, BR-28 at Tk31.60 and Pari at Tk28.50.
But the same amount of Guti-Swarna was sold at Tk23, local Swarna at Tk24, BR-28 at Tk27 and Pari at Tk27 in the last week of June.
At present, 40 kilogrammes of paddy are being sold between Tk750 and Tk800, but two weeks ago the price ranged between Tk650 and Tk700 per 40kg.
Kabir Hossain, a rickshaw puller, said they are facing problems trying to purchase rice from markets.
The price of rice has increased from Tk3 toTk4 per kg, but their income has not increased.