Adequate rice stock remaining, no reason for price hike: Food Minister

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said, there are more stocks of rice and foods in the country than the need. There is no logical reason for price hike of rice. Bangladesh became self-sufficient in food long ago. Then why the prices of rice are increasing that will be investigated.

He said these at a view exchange meeting with rice businessmen association, wholesalers and owners of auto rice mills at the food directorate in the capital on Thursday.

Soon after the election the prices of rice have increased 5 to 10 taka per kg in several stages suddenly. To find out the reasons behind the price increase the view exchange meeting was organized.

The Food Minister said, farmers of the country produce paddy in the country, the mill owners process that paddy and reach rice to the retail sellers. The retail businessmen reach that rice to the consumers. There are middlemen in these three stages. Participants of these three stages have to take the responsibility if prices of rice increase.

He said, after watching the matter on mass media I immediately talked to the Commerce Minister and called the concerned. We will discuss in detail here. We will find out the solution because the matter is associated with the general people.

In the meeting Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said, the country where adequate food stocks are maintained there the price cannot be raised suddenly. We have to investigate the matter of price hike. Price of rice should be maintained normal at any cost.

Mill owners presented in the meeting said, auto rice mill owners sell rice at 47 taka per kg. But how that rice is sold at 70 to 78 taka per kg in Dhaka? Mill owners have no association in this regard. They should not be blamed.

AH