Low income people in Magura have been hoping and praying that the government restarts their Open Market Sale (OMS) programme, as the price of rice has increased in the local market.
Day labourers and other low income groups said they have been struggling to meet their daily necessity of rice as the OMS programme stopped selling rice for the past month and half.
Rice retailers said the price of rice increased significantly in the local market within the past six weeks.
Currently 1kg of course rice is being sold at Tk36 (Tk27 six weeks ago) and 1kg of medium category rice at Tk40 (Tk32 six weeks ago).
Hashmat Ali, a construction worker from Nanduali village under Magura sadar upazilla, whose daily income ranges between Tk200-Tk250, said he needs 4kgs of rice every day for his family. However, he has been struggling to do so, as he has to spend at least Tk150 daily.
Hashmat added, after buying rice he has very little money left to buy vegetables or other necessities for his family.
Rickshaw puller Torab Ali said he and his family have been going through an endless struggle to satiate their daily nutrition. He added that this Ramadan, while people are thinking of buying new dresses for their family, people like him are struggling for a proper meal.
Like Torab Ali, easy bike driver Abu Shahid, also a low income individual, who has to earn not only for himself but for his family members as well, said the OMS programme is badly needed. Because OMS will help them get through the burden of the price hike, he added.
Shelimul Azim, district food controller of Magura, admitted that lower income people have been suffering because of the price hike, and that the OMS programme would be beneficial for them.
He added that they need a government order to restart the OMS programme.