Cost of living up by 8.5pc

The cost of living increased by 8.52 per cent last year while prices of essentials and house rent shot up by 4.72 per cent, according to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).

The CAB also mentioned that the cost of living increased by 5.42 per cent in 2001 while the prices of essentials increased by 1.40 per cent.

The CAB survey found that prices of agricultural products remained at a higher level throughout the year.

The price of rice increased by 3.89 per cent, flour3.58 per cent, edible oil 7.65 per cent, vegetables 12.81 per cent and powder milk 11.69 per cent.

House rent shot up by 13.49 per cent, gas price by 22.79 per cent, and water and electricity tariff by 8.13 per cent.

However, the prices of eggs, broiler chicken, and fish decreased by 5.27 per cent, 8.75 per cent and 10.29 per cent respectively in 2002.