The government today started selling rice at subsidised prices under an additional Open Market Sale (OMS) programme in 419 upazilas across the country. The move aims to keep rice prices stable and give relief to people at the local level.
Under the programme, one metric tonne of rice per upazila is being sold every day at Tk 30 per kilogram from today, according to a PID release. The regular OMS programme will continue alongside this additional initiative.
Currently, under the regular OMS scheme, subsidised food grains are being sold daily through 1,081 centres nationwide. These include 12 city corporations, 52 district headquarters municipalities, 15 labour-intensive upazilas and five labour-intensive municipalities.
Every day, these centres sell 1,417.5 metric tonnes of flour and 1,175 metric tonnes of rice at reduced prices. Loose flour is available at Tk 24 per kilogram, two-kilogram packets of flour at Tk 55, and rice at Tk 30 per kilogram.
The Ministry of Food noted that despite sufficient food stocks, fine rice prices have risen in some areas recently. To address this, authorities have been instructed to closely monitor markets and take legal action where necessary.
The prices of medium and coarse rice, however, remain stable, the release added.
