Retail rice price on downtrend in Rajshahi

Rice price in Rajshahi’s retail markets is on a nosedive following the government’s launching of “Food Friendly Programme” to control rice price hike.

Within a gap of one month, rice price reportedly declined by Tk 3 to 4 per kilogram (kg) in the metropolis and its adjacent areas.

In a month, rice price declined by Tk 100 to 150 per mound, said a retailer of the region. A fall in coarse rice of about Tk 3 to 4 per kilogram was also reported and it is expected to drop further.

Under government’s “Food Friendly Programme”, poor and extreme poor people of the division can now avail rice at 10 per kilogram.

Locals reported the quality of rice available in markets to be good with few irregularities. Long queues were seen at all selling points to purchase rice.

More than 773,000 extreme poor families in all eight districts under Rajshahi division are getting rice at Tk 10 per kilogram since early September last. Selected card holders will get 30 kilograms of rice every month through village ration dealers.

Muniruzzaman, regional controller of food in Rajshahi said requisite number of village ration dealers was appointed at all unions of the division to sell the rice. He adds that 231,000 tonnes of rice are being sold through 1,385 dealers every month.

For every 500 families, a village ration dealer has been appointed for distributing the rice smoothly while the widows and physically challenged people are getting priority.

Government introduced the food support programme to reduce suffering of the extreme poor families and the scheme will continue for three months from September to November, BSS reported.

The months have been selected in view of non-availability of work for the day labourers, adds Muniruzzaman.

The scheme now comes with punitive measures against those who will engage in any irregularities during the programme.