Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 12 October, 2021 expressing deep concern over the rampant and irrational price hike of the essential commodities.

“In recent times, prices of all essential commodities have significant massively. Though there is no specific reason behind such price spiral, but prices are being increased. Some item’s prices are being hiked at double pace. Several days back, onion was sold 40 taka per kilogram but now it is being sold 80 taka per kilogram. The broiler chicken which was sold 120 taka per kilo, it is being sold now at 180 taka per kilogram. Overall, sugar price has increased by 27 percent. In the global market, rice price has increased by 15 percent but now it is being increased continuously in the local market. Similarly, prices of all other essentials have increased. Meanwhile, the traders have pressed the demand of increasing oil price 11 taka per liter and sugar price by 9 taka per kilogram.

Without any logical reason, some vested traders have increased the price whimsically by making syndicates in collaboration with the ruling party leaders. As a result, the general masses, particularly the low-income people are facing severe troubles and it has become extremely difficult for them to survive. Tensions and uncertainties are prevailing everywhere.

The government has failed to check the price spiral. The government is verbally talking about developments but practically they seized all the basic rights of the citizens. No nation can function in such a way.

I am urging the concerned authorities to take immediate effective measures to bring the prices of the essential commodities within the capacity of the people.