Selling rice and flour through open market sale (OMS) program will continue until the rice market is stable, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said today (September 6, 2022). “The government operates the program for five months – from March to April and September to November – every year and the OMS service will continue as long as the market is unstable,” he said. The government started OMS from September 1 and under the service, people can purchase one kg of rice at Tk 30 and one kg of flour at Tk 18. Local administration, officials of Food Department and intelligence team are monitoring the service, said the minister. Talking about Boro procurement, the food minister said the government has procured 11.21 lakh tonnes of boiled rice while 55.20 thousand tonnes of non-boiled rice have been collected. Also read: Offer easy loans to create entrepreneurs: Razzaque to banks “The government has a target to procure 6 lakh tonnes of paddy but we got only 2.68 lakh tonnes,” he said. During the current Aman season, the government will import rice after ensuring fair prices for the farmers. The government is going to procure 10.30 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat from several countries, he said. As per agreement, the government will purchase 2.30 lakh tonnes of rice from Vietnam, two lakh tonnes from Myanmar, one lakh ton from India, and five lakh tonnes of wheat from Russia, he added. He also hinted at more procurement of rice through the government to tackle the drought in advance. An individual can buy five kgs of rice and flour. Besides, the TCB card holders can also avail the opportunity. Meanwhile, the government also started the ‘food friendly programme’ from the same day under which 50 lakh people can purchase rice at Tk 15.    

To keep the rice market stable, the government has taken a decision to allow private firms to import rice, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said on Monday. “A summary of the meeting with resolution will be sent to the Prime Minister for final decision,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting of Food Planning and Containment Committee at the Secretariat. During the meeting, discussion was held on duty-free rice import after ensuring that farmers and others concerned are not affected by the decision, he said. Also read: Rice price coming down after anti-hoarding drive: Food Minister However, the final decision will come from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Talking about the drives against illegal hoarding of rice, Sadhan said already people have started getting the benefits of the drives and the drives against illegal ricer hoarders will continue. Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim and  State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman were present at the virtual meeting. Also read: Rice cannot be packaged for sale after buying those from open market: Minister

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday warned that stern action will be taken against those who will try to destabilise the rice market in the country. The condition in the rice market must be monitored as well as make the Boro paddy procurement drive a success, he said in a virtual view-exchange meeting on ‘Boro 2022 season’s internal procurement and market monitoring’ at the secretariat. “If any attempt is made to destablise the rice market action will be taken against those involved in it irrespective of their party affiliation,” he warned. There is an unhealthy competition among traders to buy and hoard paddy thinking that it to be profitable but it will not bring good results, said the minister. Also read: Budget 2022-23: Govt to increase fertilizer subsidy to ensure food security Thinking that Russia-Ukraine war may trigger food crisis in Bangladesh, many are hoarding paddy illegally, said Nirod Baran Saha Chandan, president of the Naogaon Paddy and Rice Wholesale Traders’ Association, at the meeting. Noting that new rice is not coming to the market yet, Sadhan Chandra said the rice that is available in the market now is last year’s old rice. “So where is the new rice going?” he asked the mill owners. He also directed the mill owners to report to the officials concerned of the food department on how much paddy is bought by whom and who is marketing how much rice after crushing. Various corporate houses have started rice business, he said adding they are buying and packaging rice and selling those  in the market at higher prices. The minister also directed the officials of the food department to hold a meeting as soon as possible with the corporate houses involved in rice business. Meanwhile, many countries of the world including India have sent letters expressing interest to export wheat to Bangladesh, he said. Also read: No food shortage in country: Agriculture Minister The food minister also said nor’westers have damaged paddy in the northern parts of the country and it is important to ascertain the exact amount of losses in each district.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Tuesday warned against hoarding of rice saying no one will be allowed to destabilise the rice market. He was virtually exchanging views with local government officials, mill owners and traders on ways to prevent rice hoarding and market monitoring at Rangpur deputy commissioner office. Read: Edible oil price increased in line with manufacturers' proposal Sadhan said the government is ready to import rice if it’s needed to keep the market stable. So those who are thinking of hoarding the food grains to manipulate market should refrain from it, he added. He said there is no logic behind hike in the rice price as this year’s harvest has been satisfactory unlike last year when cyclone Amphan damaged crops. “We won’t tolerate any manipulation with the price,” he said pointing to mill owners and traders. The minister also asked the authorities concerned to investigate whether any licensed rice trader is involved in storing rice illegally. Strict action will be taken against wrong-doers, he said. Read:Govt preparing roadmap to increase rice production to control price Abdul Hannan, a spokesperson for mill owners, said the price of fine rice can’t be reduced as its demand is high. He also urged the government to take steps in importing rice to stabilise the market.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Wednesday approved the import of 250,000 metric tonnes of rice from India and international suppliers.

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Sunday said that aiming to eliminate the shortage and control prices in the rice markets, the government is going to purchase 5-6 lakh metric tonnes of rice.

The government has cut the rice import duty to 25 percent from the existing 62.5 percent in an effort to keep the rice market stable, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said Sunday.

 Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Thursday said that the market price of rice is affordable and stable amid the coronavirus pandemic as the government’s paddy and rice collection aim has been fulfilled.

The government has planned to import rice, if needed, by reducing import duty to keep its market stable and prevent price manipulation.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday asked the mill owners to keep the rice market stable.