Dhaka: The government has commenced the sale of rice at a subsidised rate of Tk 30 per kilogram under the additional Open Market Sale (OMS) programme across 419 upazilas. This initiative aims to stabilise rice prices and provide financial relief to citizens.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the programme will distribute one metric tonne of rice in each upazila. This additional OMS programme will operate alongside the existing regular OMS efforts. The regular OMS currently distributes 1,417.5 metric tonnes of flour, priced at Tk 24 per kilogram for loose flour and Tk 55 for a 2-kilogram packet, along with 1,175 metric tonnes of rice daily. These are sold at subsidised rates in 1,081 centers located across 12 city corporations, 52 district municipal areas, 15 labour-intensive upazilas, and five labour-intensive municipalities.

Despite the country’s adequate food stock, certain areas have experienced a sporadic rise in the price of fine rice. In response, the Ministry of Food has mandated regular market monitoring and the implementation of necessary legal measures to prevent further price increases.