The life of those on low incomes in Narsingdi has become even more difficult as the price of essentials soars in the district.
Many people expressed anxiety about how they will cope. People on low fixed incomes will be in trouble if the political situation causes prices to rise further in the coming days.
The people who lead a hand-to-mouth existence will suffer most.
“I earn Tk350 to Tk400 in per day, it is becoming tough for me to maintain my family on that income as the price of essentials skyrockets,” said rickshaw puller Kashem, who hails from Ghoradia village in the district.
He said he needed at least two kilograms of rice per day for his family, adding, “If I buy rice I can hardly afford others commodities with the little amount of money I have.”
“My income has decreased because of back-to-back hartals and blockades, now I can only earn Tk200 to Tk220 per day as my employer has reduced my rate due to the political situation.”
Prices of all the essentials including rice, vegetables, meat, fish, and edible oil have risen sharply, said primary schoolteachers Fazlul Haque and Abdul Hye .
The price rises are affecting professionals as well.
“I earn Tk12,000 per month, but my family expenditure has become Tk15,000,” said Abdul Bari, a high school teacher in Narsingdi town.
“Winter has come and I will have to purchase warm clothes for my family. I do not even know how I will manage my family in the coming days.”
The Dhaka Tribune visited Narsingdi Bara-Bazar, Natun Bazar, UMC Bazar, and Bhelanagar Bazar and found that the prices all kinds of essential commodities have been raised.
Low quality rice is selling at Tk38 to Tk40 per kg, medium quality rice is selling at Tk43 and fine quality at Tk46. Nasirshail is selling at Tk50 per kg, onions (local) are Tk105 per kg, and imported onions are Tk95 per kg.
Soybeans are selling at Tk115 per kg, 5 litres of Fresh oil is selling for Tk585 and the same volume of Teer (soybean oil) is Tk580. The government, however, has ordered traders to sell soyabean oil at Tk110 per k
g.
All kinds of other
vegetables prices have also been increased. Aubergines are selling at Tk55 per kg, Papaya at Tk20 per kg, tomatoes at Tk100 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk60 per kg, cucumbers at Tk50 per kg, potatoes at Tk22 per kg, green chilies at Tk80 per kg, spinach at Tk30 per kg and beans at Tk60 per kg.
