Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder has asked food officials to start an investigation to find out the reasons behind the unusual hike of rice prices despite bumper Boro yield this year.
The minister gave the directive virtually while addressing the Boro procurement progress review meeting of Khulna and Barisal divisions on Monday.
Stating that rice prices did not rise when it was supposed to, ahead of this year’s Boro harvest – during the months of Chaitra and Baishakh – the minister expressed shock over the sudden upsurge in the prices.
“But why are the prices increasing now especially after the harvest,” he said while attending the event as the chief guest.
As per Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) data, every kg fine variety of rice is now being sold at Tk58-65, previously sold at Tk55-62, while the medium variety at Tk50-58, previously sold at Tk48-52, and coarse variety at Tk48, which was previously sold at Tk45.
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To keep the rice price stable, the minister asked for regular market monitoring by the food department’s officials with assistance from the district administrations.
He said that the government will take all-out measures to keep the staple food price at a “tolerable level.”
Paddy procurement prices have been ascertained rationally during this year, so it is not acceptable to raise rice prices deliberately by the mill owners, he told the meeting.
The food minister, while addressing the meeting, also urged the food officials to ensure at least 75% Boro procurement within June 30.
He asked the officials to make this year’s Boro procurement initiative a success as per the instructions issued by the ministry.
Food Secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanum also addressed the meeting which was virtually attended by field level officials of the food department of Khulna and Barisal divisions.
Additional Director General of the Food Department M Abdul Aziz Molla presided over the meeting.
