Dhaka, July 15 -- The prices of onion and green chili have doubled in kitchen markets of the capital in a week due to "short supply and inclement weather" amid high demand ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Traders said they were selling the essential items at higher prices as they had to buy those at increased prices.

However, rights activists and common people blamed a section of dishonest traders for the price hike, saying they have created an artificial crisis through stockpiling onion ahead of Eid-ul-Azha for extra profits.

Visiting several kitchen markets in the city, this correspondent found that local variety of onion was selling at Tk 50-60 while imported one at Tk 40-45 per kg. The price of green chili ranged from Tk 120 to Tk 130 per kg....