At Karwan Bazaar kitchen market, brinjal was selling at Tk 18 per kilo down from Tk 20, Potato Tk 12 from Tk 13, ginger Tk 24 from Tk 26, Indian garlic Tk 24 from Tk 26, Indian onion Tk 20 from Tk 22 and long beans (barbati) Tk 18 from Tk 20.

Prices of per kilo cucumber remained stable at Tk 25, local onion Tk 26, local garlic Tk 32, beans Tk 60, tomato Tk 40, dried chilli Tk 85, green chilli Tk 26-28, turmeric Tk 75, and soybean oil at Tk 48-52 a litre.

"Prices of some vegetables including brinjal came down slightly today (Sunday) due to increased supply," said Dulal, a trader at Karwan Bazaar, but predicted a rise if supply decreases.

Prices at city's Hatirpul and Mohammadpur kitchen markets remained more or less stable.

At Hatirpul kitchen market, per kilo cucumber sold at Tk 28-30, tomato Tk 40-42, locally-grown onion Tk 28-30, Indian onion Tk 22-26, beans Tk 67-70, local garlic Tk 40, soybean oil Tk 48-52, green chili Tk 30, dried chili Tk 90 and turmeric Tk 80.

"Prices seem to have come down a bit but are still way beyond the commoners' reach. Also, prices of essentials, especially vegetables, fluctuate every day," said Parvin Akther, a shopper at Hatirpul kitchen market.

Sources said a delegation of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) led by its president Abdul Awal Mintoo called on Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at his office yesterday to discuss the price spiral.

During the meeting, a leader of Shop Owners' Association (SOA) severely criticised some political parties for blaming the businessmen for the price spiral.

SOA leaders said the rise in prices was triggered by supply shortage due to excessive demand during Ramadan.

On the other hand, different political organisations yesterday blamed the government for failing to check the price hike.

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) yesterday held a rally in the city protesting the price spiral. They blamed hoarders for creating artificial supply crisis and also the government for its failure to control the situation.

Bangladesh Krishak League (BKL) in a statement expressed concern at the ongoing price hike and blamed the government for the plight of ordinary citizens.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) will hold rally tomorrow in the city protesting the price spiral.