OMS to start to keep prices tolerable

The government is going to launch Open Market Sale (OMS) on September 9 for one month to keep prices of essentials at a tolerable level during Ramadan.
Moreover, it is starting programmes like vulnerable group feeding (VGF), vulnerable group development (VGD), test relief (TR) and food for work this month to ease the post flood situation.These will continue till November.
The measures are being taken as people in general, particularly the poor, across the country continue to bear the brunt of price hike of essential commodities.
The inter-ministerial committee on price control of essential commodities at a meeting yesterday decided to launch the programmes.
The meeting held the secretariat was chaired by Golam Mustakim, additional secretary of commerce ministry, and attended by representatives of the ministries concerned and army and BDR personnel.
Talking to newsmen, Mustakim said the meeting discussed the effectiveness of market monitoring by law enforcers.
Participants admitted that it would not be possible to control prices of essentials merely with the interference of law enforcers.
Replying to a question, he said businessmen will not be harassed by law enforces. The government will concentrate more on expanding BDR market facilities for the public, instead of interfering in the traditional markets.
Earlier on Tuesday, the council of advisers discussed the market situation and directed the ministries concerned to take proper measures.
Under the OMS programme, 1.14lakh tonnes of rice will be sanctioned to 15,000 dealers, each distributing 510kg.
The government is also planning to import 4.5 lakh tonnes of rice and 3.5 lakh tonnes of wheat before Ramadan, meeting sources said.
Five wholesale markets and 48 retail outlets of essentials will be set up in Dhaka before Ramadan under the supervision BDR. At present BDR operates 271 shops in different parts of the country.
The five wholesale markets will be established at Uttara Dipu market, Gabtali Dipjal market, Uttara furniture market, Jatrabari and Kamragir Char.
Meanwhile, BDR and Agriculture Ministry have jointly initiated a move to produce crops in different areas in cooperation with farmers. The crops will be marketed through BDR shops.
Mustakim said TCB will be activated to play a significant role to keep market prices at tolerable level. The government plans to import 500 tonnes of edible oil and 200 tonnes of grams through TCB by next month.