No reason to hike rice prices: Food minister

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said the country has attained bumper production of the last aman and boro rice so there is no reason for the rice price hike. He fervently called on the businessman to follow best practices in the rice business to ensure its stable market price.

"We urgently need all-out cooperation of millers, dealers and traders to keep the rice price static for the welfare of the public in general as rice is their staple food," he said.

The minister was addressing a division-level view-sharing meeting with stakeholders related to controlling rice price hikes at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner on Thursday as the chief guest.

Officials of administration, police, food, agriculture and other line departments and rice millers, dealers, traders and other stakeholders from all eight districts in the division joined the meeting and some of them took part in its open discussion sharing their views on the issue.

Prof Shafiqur Rahman Badsha, MP, Secretary to the Ministry of Food Ismail Hossain and Director General of the Directorate of Food Shakhawat Hossain Kabir were present at the meeting with Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Dr Dewan Humayun Kabir in the chair.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Anisur Rahman and Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Biplob Bijoy Talukder also spoke.

Food Minister Sadhan Majumder urged the local civil and police administration to take action against any hoarding of rice. There will be no scope for illegal storage of rice with ulterior motives of making a profit. Law violators must be brought to book.

The minister said they are working relentlessly to keep the rice price static throughout the country and urged all to extend their wholehearted cooperation to make the effort successful.

Sadhan Majumder said the rice dealers and millers should extend cooperation in terms of giving information about unscrupulous businessmen.

"We are trying to establish transparency and accountability in the activities of the food ministry, department and district and upazila level offices," he said, adding stern action will be taken against the officials and employees who will be found guilty.

/KN/