Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday admitted that prices of essentials have increased, but rural people who produce their own foods are not facing much hardship.

“Yes, prices have increased and this affects. Especially those with limited income are suffering. However, there is not much hardship for those in the village who can produce for themselves. There is no outcry from them. Still, our best efforts are on to keep commodity prices under control,” she said.

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The prime minister said this during her question answer hour in Parliament  while responding to a question from Dr Samil Uddin Ahmed Shimul elected from Chapainawabganj-1.

She said the state-run TCB is providing services to the people with their existing manpower.

“And we are taking measures keeping in mind that common people do not suffer,” she said.

She mentioned that the government has taken appropriate steps to produce the required products in the country.

“We are also importing. No matter how much money it needs, we are spending and is also putting pressure on our reserves,” she said.

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Sheikh Hasina said that people's welfare is the most important thing for her government.

Replying to another question from Independent MP Abul Kalam elected from Natore, the prime minister said that the government is always trying to reduce the sufferings of the people.

The government has continued all kinds of activities to keep the prices of daily necessities normal. 'We have been able to contain abnormal rise in the prices of consumer goods', she added.

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The prime minister said that the pressure of imported inflation is felt in the country due to the increase in the prices of some products in the world market such as fuel oil, edible oil, wheat, mustard, various food products, consumer goods and industrial raw materials.

In addition, she said that the renewed conflict in the Middle East threatens to intensify the price situation.

“However, even in this situation, we are making all-out efforts to control inflation and mitigate its impact on the people.”

She also said that the recent fall in the exchange rate of the Taka is having an adverse effect on domestic inflation.

“In this case, the crawling peg based currency exchange policy will soon be adopted to bring stability to the foreign currency exchange rate," she said.

She hoped that this corridor-based system is expected to prevent abnormal fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. As a result, it will also help in controlling inflation.”