'Start rationing system for workers'

Bangladesher Sromojibi Nari Maitri, a platform of workingwomen, yesterday urged the government to start rationing system and distribute food free of cost to working people for the next two months to avoid any famine situation.
In a written speech at a press conference in the city, Convener of the organisation Banhishikha Zamali also called for expanding the OMS operation and fixing the price of rice at Tk 15 per kg.
She urged the government to identify and arrest the people involved in the syndicate which is responsible for price hike, and reduce dependency on foreign countries for food and prioritise the agriculture sector in the next budget.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (ML) yesterday criticised the government for its failure in tackling the price spiral of essentials and distasteful comments of the top persons in the government.
At a meeting of the city committee, the party leaders said even the army chief has blamed the syndicate for price hike of essentials, but the government could not take any action against them.
They urged the government to strengthen the market-monitoring system so that the syndicate could not lower the price of rice when the Boro paddy comes to the market and make farmers suffer huge loss.
Party central leaders Badrul Alam, Abdul Mannan Azad and Mahiuddin Howlader were present at the meeting presided over by the city unit Convener Pathak Lal Goldar.