Rice price shows further downtrend in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Apr 09 (BSS): Rice price in Rajshahi retail market is now on a further downtrend following the government's launching of 'food friendly programme' and open market sale to control the hiking of staple food.

Within a gap of 10 days, the rice price has further been declined by Tk 2.0 to Tk 3.0 per kg in the metropolis and its adjacent areas.

While visiting some retail markets in the city and its outskirts on Saturday this reporter found the declining trend of the rice price.

Enamul Haque, a trader of Nawhata Bazar under Paba upazila, said the rice price has been declined by Tk 100 to Tk 150 per maund and Tk 2.0 per kg.

He said the price of coarse rice has also been reduced by Tk 2.0 to Tk 3.0 per kg benefiting the marginal population.

Within the last one month, the rice price has been declined by Tk 4.0 to Tk 5.0 in two spell, he said adding the price is expected to go down further.

Meanwhile, poor and extreme poor people of the division are very happy after getting quality rice at Tk 10 per kg under the government's 'Food-Friendly Programme'.

"We are getting quality rice this time without facing any irregularities," said Ramjan Ali, an elderly man, who came to purchase rice at Bijoynagar crossing under Godagari upazila.

Another beneficiary Hazrat Ali, who came to buy rice at Bornaly crossing, said the quality of rice is very good. This type of rice is being sold at least Tk 50 per kg in the market, he added.

Md Muniruzzaman, president of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said poor and low-income group people were seen in long queues at all selling points to purchase rice.

More than 0.77 million extreme poor families in all eight districts under Rajshahi division are getting rice at a rate of Tk 10 per kg since early this month.

The selected card holders get 30 kg of rice in every month through village ration dealers at a rate of Tk 10 per kg under the 'Food-Friendly Programme'.

"The appointed village ration dealers are selling rice in all unions of the division," said Md Muniruzzaman, regional controller of Food in Rajshahi, adding "We will distribute 0.23 million tonnes of rice through 1,329 dealers."

Simultaneously, open market sale (OMS) of rice and flour is also going on everywhere in the division. Some 108 dealers including 30 in Rajshahi have been appointed for the purpose.

"We are closely monitoring the rice and flour distributing activities at all points to prevent any irregularity and mismanagement", he added.