RANGPUR, Feb 8, 2022 (BSS) - Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder here today said the rice market will not be allowed to destabilize in any way to ensure a stable market price of rice.

“Those who think that they will make more profit by hoarding rice will not be allowed to do so. Rice will be imported if required. We have the related file ready,” he said.

The Food Minister said this while virtually addressing a divisional level views-exchange meeting on "Way Forward for Preventing Illegal Hoarding and Market Monitoring" held at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in the city as the chief guest.

He said Bangladesh is now a global role model of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government has been continuing efforts to build a hunger-free Bangladesh.

Addressing rice mill owners and traders, Sadhan Chandra Majumder said the market price of rice had not gone up in local markets when the crop was damaged in Amphan in the recent past.

“But, the price is going up in full season amid good yield of Aman rice this time. I would like to see the traders’ role in ensuring that the price of rice does not go up from today. Give comfort to consumers not doing only business just for profit,” he said

The Minister directed officials of the Department of Food to ascertain whether anyone is stockpiling paddy and rice after purchasing with a food grain license.

“Rice mill owners have to maintain an account of how much paddy they are buying, stocking and crushing and inform the ministry," he said, and cautioned stringent actions if any negligence is found.

He said farmers do not stockpile paddy. Mill owners know who stockpiles paddy as they purchase the stockpiled paddy.

Terming rice mill owners as not opponents, the Minister said, "I do not want to blame you, but if you think of more profit, then the people of the country cannot be saved."

The Minister sought sincere cooperation of all concerned to keep the rice market stable.

On behalf of rice mill owners, Abdul Hannan said the demand for fine rice is high in the country. The price of fine rice cannot be reduced as its price is also higher in the neighboring countries.

At the same time, he requested the government to enhance import of rice to increase the supply to keep the rice market stable.
 
Presided over by Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Most Nazmanara Khanum, Director General of the Department of Food Md Sakhawat Hossain, Deputy Inspector General of Rangpur Range Police Devdas Bhattacharya, Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur Md. Asib Ahsan, Superintendent of Police of Rangpur Md. Ferdous Ali Chowdhury and Rangpur Regional Controller of Food Rangpur Abdus Salam addressed the meeting.
 
Deputy Commissioners of different districts of Rangpur division, officials of the Department of Food, Department of Agricultural Extension, rice mill owners, traders and media representatives participated in the meeting.