Cost of living goes up by 6.38pc in 2015
CAB placed a 17-point
charter of recommendations including adjustment of oil prices with those in the
international market,
formulation of a law on house rent to ensure a standard of living for urban people
STAFF REPORTER
The cost of living rose by 6.38 per cent in 2015 in the capital, though the prices of essential commodities remained relatively stable compared to the previous year, observed an annual report of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
The trend of increase in the cost of living in the capital in 2015 was 0.44 per cent, lower than 2014, which had seen a 6.82 per cent increase in the cost of living.
Prices of products and utility services saw a 4.81 per cent rise (against 6.31 per cent in 2014).
The CAB prepared the report, after taking into consideration the prices of 114 food items, 22 essential commodities and 14 utility services in 15 markets and various service providers in the capital.
The report noted that some of the essential commodities witnessed a 20 per cent slump in their prices in the international market, but remained unchanged in the local market, as imports of essential commodities are in the hands of some business organisations.
Consumers are being deprived of the price reduction of fruits in the international market. The prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, beef, pulses, egg, spices, fish, and mutton, increased in 2015, the report said.
The report said the government illogically hiked the prices of power and gas. In 2015, the price of gas soared by 44.44 per cent and the electricity price saw a 2.32 per cent increase on the average.
Prices of onions and green chillies increased most in 2015, the CAB report noted.
The price of local onions increased by 76.17 per cent and that of the imported variety by 74.02 per cent in 2015. The price of green chilli rose by 29.71 per cent.
The consumers rights group said house rent increased 6.33 per cent and slum areas house rent went up 11.43 per cent, while in flats, it increased 4.5 per cent.
The CAB placed a 17-point charter of recommendations, which included: adjustment of oil prices with those in the international market, formulation of a law on house rent to ensure a standard of living for urban people, initiatives for full implementation of the Consumer Rights Act, 2009, and Food Security Act, 2013; and formation and implementation of a National Competition Commission, an election pledge of the government.
