Khulna: The anti-discrimination student movement and task forces of Khulna have launched an initiative to sell essential goods at fair prices in the city, aiming to disrupt trader syndicates during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative commenced at approximately 4:00 PM in the Shibbari Square area on Wednesday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, organizers of the initiative are extending their efforts to sell goods at various locations, including Boyra Bazar Intersection, Natun Bazar Mour, Gallamari Hall Road Mour, Daulatpur Bus Stand Road, and BIDC near Chitrali market. The list of products being sold includes brinjal at Tk 50 per kg, potatoes at Tk 17 per kg, chickpeas at Tk 95 per kg, gram flour at Tk 60, puffed rice at Tk 65 per kg, tomatoes at Tk 7.50 per kg, green chili at Tk 40 per kg, garlic at Tk 100 per kg, local onions at Tk 35 per kg, and edible oil at Tk 175 per litre.
Residents from various professions were observed purchasing necessary goods from the shop at the city's Shibari Square in the morning. Organizers stated that the prices are at least Tk 5 to 15 cheaper per kilogram compared to the prevailing market rates.
Md Ismail, a rickshaw-puller, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, stating, "I don't have the capacity to buy essential goods from kitchen markets. I am experiencing hardship with my six-member family as I earn a little money. This initiative helps me to buy goods at low cost."
Md Nayeem Malik, a student of Khulna University and a member of the city's kitchen market control team, mentioned that the initiatives will persist throughout Ramadan as syndicates have kept kitchen markets unstable. Hridoy Gharami, a member of the kitchen market taskforce monitoring team, added, "We have taken this initiative to keep the prices of daily essentials under control."
The selling initiative will continue from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day during Ramadan.