Retailers under fire for high increases on daily essentials in Bangladesh

(Aug.04, 2011) The holy month of Ramadan began on Tuesday in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh, but crooked retailers are threatening to make it a month of misery for millions this year, with unusually high price hikes on nearly all daily essentials. The price hikes are set to add further to the woes of people already affected by water shortages, traffic jams, and high transport costs. They also come in spite of pleas and even threats from the commerce ministry to control prices. Virtually all stalls in markets in Dhaka are showing marked increases. Shoppers say it’s almost impossible to buy daily food essentials and vegetable prices have almost doubled. Prices are traditionally higher during Ramadan due to increased demand, but this year the hikes are especially steep. Retailers are blaming their suppliers for the increases.
However, a local Muslim cleric, Maolana Anwar Hossain, condemned the practice of raising prices and said it spoils the spirit of Ramadan. “Islamic laws forbid selling items at a higher price than has been set. The businessmen should stop doing it and follow the spirit of Ramadan,” he added. He also called on the government to strictly control market prices during Ramadan and use fast-track courts to harshly punish offenders during this holy season.