OMS to continue till rice price stabilisation: Sadhan

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Tuesday said the government would continue food distribution under the open market sale (OMS) system to control rice price volatility.

“The government will continue to sell food at subsidised prices for the lower-income people until rice prices become stable,” he said while addressing a press briefing at his Secretariat office.

The food minister and the food secretary explained to journalists why rice and wheat had been procured from Russia and Vietnam at high prices. They also revealed the amount of food grains being imported.

Sadhan said the decision had been made to make food prices stable. He said five lakh tonnes of wheat were being imported from Russia at $430 per tonne while 2.3 lakh tonnes of rice were being procured from Vietnam. 

“The government's target is to buy 10 lakh tonnes of food grains or more if there is enough storage.”

Responding to a query about rice prices, the food minister said, “We are continuously monitoring rice prices. Fine has been issued and some traders have also been prosecuted.”

He said many rice traders had even obtained bail from the High Court. 

The minister requested journalists to visit wholesale rice markets, including the one in Babu Bazar, and help the authorities find out unscrupulous traders. “Then you see what action the government would take.” 

Speaking about the commerce minister’s statement on fixing rice prices, Sadhan said the food ministry would try to implement any decision made by the tariff commission. 

“Rice and wheat prices fluctuate in the international market. This week’s prices are three dollars less than last week. Prices were high when Bangladesh bargained to procure. Bangladesh does not have the capacity to bring in wheat in five to seven ships at a time and then release it.”