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Finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said the interim government will take necessary measures so that people do not suffer due to high prices of essential commodities during Ramadan.
"We will ensure that people don't suffer from food related problems during the month of Ramadan," the adviser said on Thursday.
He was briefing the media after a meeting of the Advisers' Council Committee on Government Purchase at the secretariat in the capital.
Dr Salehuddin said the government has already opened some additional sales centres to keep the supply chain intact.
Replying to a query, he said food situation was not bad now. "Overall, the situation is tolerable. The statistics says so."
He said deputy commissioners would monitor food prices and supply situation at field level to ensure no manipulation at wholesale or retail levels.
In case of food, according to the adviser, it was found that food did not reach consumers and those were being hoarded despite having adequate supplies.
"We will ensure that it doesn't happen during the holy month," he said.
The adviser said Thursday's meeting approved a number of proposals, including rice and fertiliser imports, and construction of bridges and roads connecting the Matarbari deep-sea port.
According to cabinet division officials, the meeting approved a proposal regarding the import of 50,000 tonnes of non-aromatic rice from India at a total cost of Tk 2.65 billion.
Each tonne of rice will cost $434.55.
The Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation has been allowed to import 40,000 tonnes of DAP fertiliser from MA'Aden, Saudi Arabia, at Tk 2.99 billion with each tonne costing $614.50.
The meeting also approved three procurement proposals for 'civil works for port construction' of the Matarbari Port Development project, among others.
syful-islam@outlook.com