The annual report of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (Cab) also said that in 2003 the rises in cost of living and prices of essentials were of 10.48 percent and 4.84 percent respectively.

The Cab report, which was released yesterday, said recurring floods, clout of unscrupulous businessmen and government's indifference to containing the spiralling prices of essentials have accounted for the rises last year.

Price of rice on average rose by 4.54 percent, flour 12.25, ginger, onion and chilli 22.25, soyabean oil 11.94, egg 3.41, vegetables 10.29, soap 1.91 and cloth by 1.33 to 4.17, the report said.

House rents shot up by 9.96 percent on average. Especially in the slums it increased sharply, added the report.

After the government had increased prices of diesel and kerosene by Tk 3 a litre, prices of fuel rose by 15 percent, the report mentioned.