The “Production, Storage, Transfer, Transportation, Supply, Distribution and Marketing of Food Products (Prevention of Prejudicial Activity) Bill, 2023” with a provision of maximum lifetime imprisonment for illegal hoarding of food stuff was passed in Parliament on Wednesday.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.

The aim of the new bill is to curb illegal hoarding of food items and ensure food security.

In the proposed law, the punishment for illegal hoarding of food is maximum lifetime imprisonment or 14-year rigorous imprisonment and monetary punishment.

In the bill, offences related mainly to the production, storage, transfer, transportation, supply, marketing and distribution of foodgrains like paddy, rice, wheat, flour and corn have been identified. Punishments have been prescribed for those offences as per the magnitude of the crimes.

The new law has been framed in the combination of two old laws-- the Food (Special Court) Act, 1956 and the Foodgrains Supply (Prevention of Prejudicial Activity) Ordinance, 1979.

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As per the new law, a person will face maximum two-year imprisonment or maximum Tk 10 lakh as fine or both, if the person markets any foodstuff manufactured from an approved variety of foodgrain under a different or fictitious name without mentioning it as a by-product of such variety.

A person will face the same punishment in case of manufacturing or marketing food products by removing or altering any natural ingredient in whole or partially; or manufacturing or marketing artificial ingredients harmful to human health with foodstuffs.

According to the bill, if any person makes, prints, publishes, circulates or distributes any false information regarding the production, storage, transfer, transportation, supply, distribution and marketing of foodstuff, the person will face the maximum five-year imprisonment or highest Tk 10-lakh as fine or both.

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Participating in the discussion on the bill, Jatiya Party's Fakhrul Imam said that if the polishing of rice can be stopped through this bill, 4 lakh MT of rice wastage can be prevented.

He said that although miniket rice is sold in the market, basically there is no paddy or rice of this variety.

"Although we are proud of food (security), we could not ensure safe food. As a result, almost all the people of the country are suffering from some kinds of diseases. He said that there is a need for a major change in the state's policies.”

Jatiya Party's Pir Fazlur Rahman criticised the punishment clause of the bill and said that if the accused can prove that he hoarded without financial or any other purpose of gain, then he will be jailed for a maximum of three months and fined.

“Such a law is unheard of anywhere. Even if he did not commit the crime, he has to suffer the punishment.”

Kazi Feroz Rashid of Jatiya Party termed it as ‘a terrible law’.

“Anyone can be arrested under this law anytime. A festival of bribery will begin in the country. Anyone caught can be jailed for life. As a result of this law, fear will spread among the farmers of the country.”

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He said that farmers spend a lot of time stocking up in the hope of getting better prices. They will also be affected by this law. He advised the minister to reduce the sentence under the law.

In response to these criticisms, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said that the current government is farmer-friendly. This government is giving various incentives to farmers.

He said that it is easy to identify the real hoarders. There is no danger of enforcement of this law on farmers.

“This will be further clarified in the rules made under this Act.”

The minister said that the Special Powers Act still exists. Although there is an opportunity to give the maximum punishment against the hoarders, the government has not followed that path.

Referring to the good yield of Boro season, the minister also expressed hope that there will be no need to import rice this time.