No plan to resume special OMS soon

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of resuming the special open market sale (OMS) anytime soon, which was stopped in December last year.
Approximately 0.8 million people benefited directly from the OMS service, which was jointly launched by the ministries of agriculture and commerce on October 15 last year. Essential commodities like potatoes, eggs, onions, and gourds were sold at subsidised rates under the special OMS programme.
The adviser said that the previous government had initiated the special OMS service on an emergency basis and implemented it successfully.
"We have now suspended the OMS service as the market has now come under control to some extent. If such an emergency arises in the future, we will consider it," he told newsmen after a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Bangladesh secretariat.
When asked whether the government has any alternative plans to provide people some relief from the inflationary pressure following the suspension of the special OMS arrangement, Dr Ahmed replied in the negative. "We don't have any plans about this at the moment."
Replying to another query about the reason for suspension, the adviser explained, "You can't contain inflation through OMS. The service is so highly subsidised that many financially able individuals also stand in the queue."
The adviser said the purchase committee meeting gave approval to import fertiliser. "Unless the government has enough stock of fertiliser, private importers raise its price."
In reply to another question, Mr Ahmed said the supply chain is still under the control of brokers. "Rice is available in godowns, but sellers don't bring it to the shops."
He said this is not a matter of supply shortage, but rather manipulation by wholesalers and retailers. "Rice price has decreased to some extent a few days back," the adviser claimed.
Regarding a question over increasing value added tax (VAT) on nearly 100 products, the adviser said VAT will be adjusted properly in the upcoming budget.
The purchase committee meeting, presided over by the finance adviser, approved a number of proposals, including the import of fertiliser and phosphoric acid.
According to cabinet division officials, the meeting approved a proposal allowing the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) to import 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from SABIC Agri-nutrient Company, Saudi Arabia, which is priced at Tk 1.32 billion with per tonne fertiliser costing US$360.83.
The committee approved another proposal for BCIC to import 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution, UAE, costing Tk 1.32 billion, 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Qatar Energy Marketing, Qatar, costing Tk 1.386 billion, and 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (KAFCO), costing Tk 1.294 billion.
[email protected]