Photo : Messenger
In the sweltering heat of a 4 pm sun, Khalil, a Pathao driver, waits for passengers in Mohakhali. His face etched with fatigue, this Bhola native now lives in the Signboard area of Dhaka. With two children studying at a local madrasa, Khalil's struggle is palpable. “Three days' income is not enough for one day's expenses,” he reveals, his voice heavy with emotion.
Although he has lived in Dhaka for 30 years, he has never faced such a situation. In the last few years, house rent, car rent, children's education costs, and daily necessities have become so expensive that he can no longer manage with his income. He has already used up his savings. Now, he has to borrow money every month to meet urgent needs. Khalil expresses frustration, saying that previously one day's income could cover three days, but now three days' income is not enough for even one day.
Upon investigation, it is found that not just Khalil, but almost all classes of poor and middle-class people are similarly affected. A bundle of spinach that used to cost Tk 10 is now selling for Tk 35-60. The prices of ginger, onion, and garlic have increased by Tk 50-60 in the last three months. No vegetables are available for less than Tk 100. No fish can be bought for less than Tk 200. Eating beef has become a mere dream except during Eid-ul-Azha. Even chicken prices have gone out of reach. It can be said that all government initiatives have failed. Prices are out of control. The middle class has reduced food consumption. People from all classes are using up their savings for daily expenses.
Water rates have increased. Gas and electricity prices have been raised several times already. With the increase in fuel prices, public transport fares, truck fares, rickshaw, and CNG fares have also gone up. Everything essential has been affected. People from all classes are following a policy of expense reduction. Many have removed protein-rich foods from their diet, and many are forced to take loans. People are now desperate to meet their living expenses. Along with rice, lentils, flour, sugar, edible oil, eggs, and onions, the prices of daily use items like soap, soda, and toothpaste are also increasing. Additionally, the prices of house renovation materials have increased manifold. After paying house rent at the end of the month, there's no money left to run the household.
Akbar Hossain receives a salary of Tk 25,000 per month from a private organization. He sees darkness when it comes to running his household. A large portion of his income goes towards house rent. The remaining money doesn't even last half a month.
S M Nazer Hossain, Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said that inflation has had a terrible impact on low-income people. Especially middle-income people are under severe pressure. If inflation and the market cannot be controlled at this moment, life will become even more difficult for ordinary people.
When asked about the impact on household expenses in current times, Anisul Haq, a resident of Feni, told The Daily Messenger, “Recently, I went to buy bricks for urgent work at my house. Within a month's gap, I had to buy bricks at one to one and a half thousand taka more per thousand. First-class bricks that were twelve thousand now cost thirteen thousand. Sand has increased by Tk 15 per foot. The prices of rod and cement have also increased. For a small task, my budget has almost doubled.”
Lokman Hossain, a resident of Cumilla, came to Dhaka with his wife for a doctor's appointment. Three days ago, he got an appointment at a hospital in Panthapath at 10:30 am. But after getting off at Manik Nagar at 8:30 am, he couldn't find any bus, micro, CNG, or even a rickshaw. The two rickshaws he found demanded Tk 250 for a Tk 120 ride. Finally, he got a CNG that charged Tk 400 for a Tk 150 fare. Just for the round trip from Manik Nagar to Panthapath, he spent almost Tk 800. He expressed frustration that his entire day's income was spent on transportation for such a short distance.
Messenger/Fameema
