DHAKA, June 21, 2021 (BSS) – Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today asked food officials to conduct investigation to find out the reasons behind the unusual increase in the price of rice despite bumper yield of boro paddy this year.

“The price was not even mounted during the month of Chaitra and Baishakh ahead of boro harvest ......but why the price is increasing now in the market after harvest,” he said.

The minister gave the directives while addressing as the chief guest at the boro procurement progress review meeting of Khulna and Barishal divisions connecting virtually from his official residence here this morning.

Per kg fine variety of rice is now being sold at Taka 58-65 raising from Taka 55-62,  while the medium variety at Taka 50-58, raising from Taka 48-52  and coarse variety at Taka 48, raising from Taka 45, according the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

To keep the rice price stable, the minister asked for regular market monitoring by the food department’s officials with the assistance of the district administrations.

He said, “The government will take all out initiatives to keep the staple food price at tolerable level.”

The procurement prices have been ascertained rationally during this year, so it is not acceptable to raise the rice price deliberately by the rice mill owners, he told the meeting.

At the same time, the food minister also urged the food officials to ensure almost 75 percent boro procurement within June 30. He asked the officials to make the boro procurement success as per the instructions issued by the ministry.

Food Secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanum also was addressed in the meeting while Additional Director General of the Food Department M Abdul Aziz Molla presided over the meeting.

The virtual meeting also was connected by the field level officials of the food department of Khulna and Barishal divisions