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The government will start open market sale (OMS) of rice at Tk 15 per kg from September 1 for 4 crore people of 50 lakh families across the country, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday.
"This programme will run simultaneously in district towns, municipalities and city areas under the Food Friendly Program of the government," he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.
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The Minister hoped that the price of rice in the market will come under control through this programme.
Consumers will get 30 kg of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg, he added.
He said, 'We have 2,013 dealers, each dealer will get two metric tonnes of rice per day.
The consumers can purchase 30 kgs of rice under the Food Friendly Programme at a price of Tk 15 per kg while anyone can purchase the OMS rice and one person can buy 5 kg, said the minister.
Besides, the authorities concerned will keep monitoring the programmes and a decision was taken to strengthen the monitoring system.
He also hinted of rice imports.
Replying to a question about any impact on production cost following price hike of fuel, Sadhan said “It is a world issue now and it should be better if we can keep the price of rice stable.”
The minister also blamed some unscrupulous businesspeople for the soaring price of rice.
“We have asked the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to come to the field as five monitoring committees have been formed,” he said.
The deputy commissioners concerned have been ordered to monitor the market price and conducted drive against illegal hoarders.