Cost of living rose by 8.80 per cent in«'98 due to soaring commodity prices, coupled with additional utility charges, reports UNB.

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) said commodity prices soared by 6.58 per cent in the year that just elapsed, surpassing the previous year's marks. In 1997. rise of the two indices was 8.02 and 5.11 percent.

The high costs "made public life a misery" in the past year, said the consumer-rights group.

The price hike of rice, induced by floods, has not yet stabilised despite traders claiming supply of the staple sufficient.

In its market survey report released at the year-end yesterday the CAB said the price of rice shot up 11.83 per cent in 1998 from 1.93 in the previous

Il also pointed to an unusual price spiral of onion, up to Tk 60 per kg, and noted the prices did not come down to that extent even after the government made the spice import duty-free and new produce came to the market.

House rents marked an abnormal rise in the year 1998. with house-owners using excuse of price hike of essentials and enhancement of gas tariffs. Rent of all categories of houses rose by 14.09 per cent, the CAB report revealed.

The CAB also noted with concern that domestic market was awash with adulterated and shoddy commodities, be it local or imported.

"As there is no system of checking standard of imported goods, consumers are being cheated." said the consumers’ association.