NAOGAON, Jan 28, 2024 (BSS) - Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today 
warned against illegal hoarding and said if they [the hoarders] do not 
rectify themselves, they will have to go jail.

"Illegal hoarders would not spare only to realize penalty...they have to go 
jail if they do not correct themselves," he said.

The food minister make this statement while he was exchanging views with 
peoples representatives and district officials of Naogaon district 
administrator's conference room here this morning.

To bring the rice price at tolerable limit, he said the traders must have to 
change their attitude of making extra profit, adding: "Millers, wholesalers, 
retailers' corporate houses are equally responsible behind the rice price 
hike."

Talking about public food distribution, Majumder said: "Food distribution 
remains underway under the Open Market Sale (OMS) particularly for the common 
people. Digital card has been prepared and the OMS will be distributed soon 
through the cards which will ultimately stop repetition of rice taking by a 
particular person."

After approval of the new act, the government could be able to take strict 
action against the illegal hoarders, the food minister noted.

The "Production, Storage, Transfer, Transportation, Supply, Distribution and 
Marketing of Food Products (Prevention of Prejudicial Activity) Bill, 2023" 
with a provision of maximum life imprisonment for illegal hoarding of 
foodstuff already has been passed in the parliament, he said.

Now the enactment of rules is going on. 

The food minister also asked the Director General of the Department of Food 
to issue an order of cancelling leave and weekly holiday of the food 
department employees during the anti-hoarding drive.

Chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Naogaon Mohammad Golam Mawla, the view-
exchange meeting also attended, among others, by different district-level 
officials, Civil Surgeon of the district Abu Hena Md Raihanuzzaman Sarker, 
Upzila Parishad Chairmen, Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) and media 
representatives.