Soaring rice prices hit poor in Lalmonirhat

Rice prices have marked an unusual rise during the last two weeks in Lalmonirhat markets, forcing many people of the low income group to pass their days half-fed.

Due to the situation, a growing number of people to line up for the government subsidised rice.

Under the government programme, 56,386 benificiries of 45 unions in five upazilas of Lalmonirhat will receive 30 kilograms of rice at Tk 10 per kilogram.

During a visit to different rice markets in the town, this correspondent found that the lowest-grade rice sells at Tk 32-34 per kilogram and the fine rice is priced at up to Tk  44-46 while it was between Tk 22-24 and Tk 34-36 respectively just two weeks back.

"The price of rice has gone up so high that I can't feed my family with my daily income of Tk 200-250 by puling rickshaw," said Shamsul Islam, 45, of Kalmati village in Sadar upazila.

Farm labourer Abdul Gafur, 50, of Etapota village, also a beneficiary under the rationing programme, said although he had received the allocated 30 kilograms of rice but the quantity is barely enough to feed a family of five. 

Rusel Islam, a rice trader at Goshala Bazar, said sales of rice have dropped in the last couple of days due to the unusual hike of its prices.

Abdul Hamid, president of Lalmonirhat Rice Mills Owners Association, said about 465 rice mills in the district are facing a setback due to a rough weather in the last couple of weeks.

The millers could not produce enough rice due to adverse weather during the last two weeks, he added.

District Food Controller Golam Mawla said they have already started selling rice at Tk 10 per kilogram among the ration card holders.

Beneficiaries can buy their allocated rice from government recruited 125 dealers in 45 unions of the district, Mawla added.

a crisis of doctor. Amena said she could not afford to go to another hospital for treatment as she is very poor.