PMO directives to check price hike, hoarding

Country has stock of 1.7m tonnes of food grains

FE Team | Published: March 06, 2024 00:06:59

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has directed all the authorities concerned to take necessary action against the hoarding of goods and intensify market monitoring to prevent price hike during the holy month of Ramadan.
Besides, the PMO has instructed the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to keep gas and electricity supply normal during Iftar and Sahri as well as to ensure that law and order won't deteriorate in the holy month, reports UNB.
The directives came from a meeting held at the PMO ahead of Ramadan to review the stock, supply and prices of essential commodities, gas and electricity supply and upcoming Eid-ul Fitr exodus, said a press release.
PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah chaired the meeting, while secretaries from different ministries and divisions concerned were present.
The Principal Secretary said there are larger stocks of foodgrains and essential commodities for this Ramadan compared to the previous year.
"Sufficient foodgrains and daily essentials are available in the market. We have been able to take preparation properly for the month of fasting. There will be no problem if the people purchase the commodities as much as they need. We will be able to celebrate Ramadan and Eid very well," he said.
Tofazzel Hossain said, "We are satisfied if there is a reserve of 1.2 million tonnes of food grains during this period every year. But this year, now we have a stock of some 1.7 million tonnes of food grains."
He said they also reviewed stock of other essential commodities particularly sugar, onion and edible oil. "There is enough sugar available in the market and more sugar is being imported, so we're not worried of any possible sugar crisis. There is an adequate supply of edible oil in the market. So, there would be no problem with edible oil," he added.
The Principal Secretary said they've instructed all the authorities concerned to ensure the smooth supply chain of commodities so that the daily essentials items would reach the people during Ramadan.
As part of the government food-friendly programmes - the food items will be distributed among the poor through OMS and TCB in installments during Ramadan. "We will give twice edible oil, sugar, pulses, chickpeas, onions and dates to one crore people in the month of fasting," he said.