Make MP's advice must for UZ body
A parliamentary body yesterday asked the food ministry to take steps so that lawmaker's advice is made mandatory for upazila committee monitoring Food for Work programme.
Food Minister Abdur Razzaque informed the House body at its meeting that a fresh circular regarding management and distribution of food grains under the programme is being prepared.
The parliamentary standing committee on food and disaster management ministry discussed the price hike of coarse rice and asked the ministry to ensure that it does not increase further, committee member Akram Hossain Chowdhury told journalists after the meeting.
The House body that met at the Sangsad Bhaban directed the ministry concerned to reinforce important government structures including the secretariat and hospitals applying 'strengthening column strategy' so that they can withstand earthquake with a magnitude of over seven.
Akram said committee members told the meeting that lawmakers do not have any role in allocating or distributing food under social safety net programmes, especially Food for Work.
The food minister, who is a member of the committee, informed the meeting that upazila nirbahi officers have already been directed to ensure lawmakers presence at Food for Work committee meetings, Akram said.
Committee Chairman Muhammad Sayedul Hoque asked the minister to explain the price rise of coarse rice and steps to tackle it.
Akram quoted the minister as saying that import of rice is being hampered due to poor rice harvest in some major exporting countries.
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