Essential consumer items rising steeply ......by Lal Gunesekera
The steeply rising cost of living since last year, continues to be a big burden on the lives of the ordinary citizens of this country. They complain that the government does not show any interest in bringing down the prices of essential consumer items such as rice, vegetables, fish, chicken, etc.
Numerous consumers pose just one question. Who manipulates the prices of consumer goods in the open market? Is it the wholesale businessman or any other party? They complained to The Island that the government says one thing, but when they go to the market it’s completely different.
"Minister of Trade, Consumer Affairs and Marketing Development, Bandula Gunawardene, continues to say that the prices of essential items have been reduced at Sathosa outlets and Economic Centres. We do not have vehicles to visit these places and do our marketing at retail outlets closest to our homes. Minister Gunawardene seems to be in a dream world. Why does he not visit the markets that the normal people frequent daily or weekly?" irate consumers, ask.
The prices at Sathosa outlets are - Rathu Kekulu at Rs. 60 a kilo, Sudu Kekulu Rs. 50, Samba Rs. 70 (not always available and when it is, restricted to 5 kg per person), Kora Rs. 70, Basmathi Rs. 69.50, Sugar Rs. 94, Bombay Onions Rs. 83, Garlic Rs. 232, Dhal Rs. 158, Dried Sprats Rs. 260 and Potatoes Rs. 54.
What about the prices in the open market? Rathu Kekulu is sold at Rs. 75, Sudu Kekulu also at Rs. 75, Rathu Samba Rs. 96, Samba at three different prices depending on the variety (Rs. 90, Rs. 100 and Rs. 130), Nadu at Rs. 85, Basmathi Rs. 100 and Sugar Rs. 110. The price of a kilo of chicken is Rs. 470 and beef Rs. 420.
"The prices of several vegetables are just astronomical. Fish prices are also very high despite the war on terrorism ending in May last year and government saying that plenty of fish is being transported to Colombo from the North and East. This is despite the country being surrounded by the sea. The only prices to have come down are Eggs at Rs. 12," complain these poor consumers.
They (the consumers) say that the government must step in and bring about a reduction in essential items. "The war on terrorism is over and so is Christmas, New Year and the Presidential Elections. We voted for President Rajapaksa hoping that he would be able to sort out this mess and we yet have confidence that he could and will reduce the prices. Various excuses trotted out by Minister Gunawardene like the world prices, drought, etc. are unacceptable," these irate consumers told The Island.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services, Maithripala Sirisena told The Island that the government has already allocated Rs. 4,060 million to purchase 140,000 metric tons of paddy from the March Maha season. This will be done through the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB).
"Storage facilities are being improved to stock the paddy. We have earmarked 50,000 mt to be purchased by the PMB from Polonnaruwa, 30,000 mt each from Anuradhapura and the Eastern Province, and 15,000 mt each from the Southern and North Western Provinces. The PMB will pay Rs. 28 for a kilo Nadu and Rs. 30 for a kilo of Samba to the farmers directly. There will be no third party involvement," Minister Sirisena said.
He said that the PMB will maintain a buffer stock and release 40,000 mt of rice to the market to control the fluctuation of prices. The government has decided not to purchase large stocks of rice from abroad this year.
Minister Bandula Gunawardene told The Island that people must learn to be patient. He said: "There is nothing to worry about. The price increases are due to various situations. We will do our utmost to give relief to the people and take every step possible to reduce prices of essential items. The government has no control over certain consumer items. These prices did not have any impact on the January 26 election."
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