Around 5,000 low-income families in 16 wards of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) have been left in distress after the government’s Open Market Sale (OMS) program was suddenly suspended on Monday, despite a High Court order extending the tenure of the existing dealers until October 30.
The Food Department halted the sale of subsidised rice and flour at all OMS outlets in 16 wards without prior notice. Under the OMS program, eligible consumers could buy rice at Tk30 per kilogram and flour at Tk24 per kilogram—nearly half the prevailing market prices.
Many people gathered at the designated outlets on Monday morning but returned empty-handed after being informed that no rice or flour would be distributed.
Rini Begum, whose husband now drives a van after losing his job, said she and her mother-in-law work as domestic help to support their family. “We usually collect OMS rice and cook whenever possible. But I was told on Monday morning that rice would not be distributed. I had to return home disappointed,” she said.
Mariam Begum, a mother of three who works as a domestic help, said she buys rice from OMS outlets at Tk30 per kilogram, compared with Tk55-60 in the open market. “Since my husband died, this has been one of the main sources of food for my family. If OMS remains closed, we will have to reduce our food intake,” she said.
The suspension stems from a legal dispute over OMS dealerships. Sixteen dealers filed a writ petition after their dealerships were cancelled following the introduction of a new OMS policy.
On November 25, 2024, the High Court stayed the cancellation of the dealerships without prior notice. The stay was extended several times, most recently on August 17 for another two and a half months until October 30.
Sayeeduzzaman Molla, representing the writ petitioners, said certified and online copies of the court order had been submitted to the authorities. Despite depositing treasury challans, however, the dealers were not allowed to collect their allocations.
Chand Mia Selim, an OMS dealer, said he deposited the required challan on August 23 but was denied permission to collect rice and flour the following day.
Khulna Regional Food Controller Abu Naim Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the court order had been sent to the legal adviser in Dhaka for verification. “After receiving the decision, we will determine the next course of action regarding the distribution of rice and flour,” he said.