Covid, war in Ukraine behind price hike: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday blamed the pandemic fallouts and the Russia-Ukraine war for the soaring prices of basic commodities.

"The prices of essentials have marked a rise not only in Bangladesh but also elsewhere in the world due to the Covid-induced global economic recession. That's why the prices have gone up in every country of the world," she said.

Hasina was addressing a discussion marking the Historic March 7 Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Awami League organised the discussion at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. The premier joined the event virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

The PM said an unwarranted situation arose when Russia attacked Ukraine. "The negative impact of that incident has struck the world and we are also suffering from that."

Hasina said maybe the prices of some items are going up at the domestic market due to the impacts of the price hike on the international market.

Besides, there are some people who always try to make money taking advantage of such a situation, she said. "They want to make quick bucks through hoarding of goods."

The PM said the government has made arrangements for monitoring the market.

She urged all to utilise every inch of land for farming to avoid any food scarcity in the country.

Hasina said the government's aim is to ensure all basic needs of the people. "And we are doing that successfully."

She said the AL government has been able to bring a fundamental change in the society in just 13 years. "We've been able to improve the living standard of the people of this country."

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader delivered the welcome speech at the programme.

Party presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, and Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud, among others, also spoke on the occasion.