NAOGAON, Jan 28, 2024 (BSS) - Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today
warned against illegal hoarding and said if they [the hoarders] do not
rectify themselves, they will have to go jail.
"Illegal hoarders would not spare only to realize penalty...they have to go
jail if they do not correct themselves," he said.
The food minister make this statement while he was exchanging views with
peoples representatives and district officials of Naogaon district
administrator's conference room here this morning.
To bring the rice price at tolerable limit, he said the traders must have to
change their attitude of making extra profit, adding: "Millers, wholesalers,
retailers' corporate houses are equally responsible behind the rice price
hike."
Talking about public food distribution, Majumder said: "Food distribution
remains underway under the Open Market Sale (OMS) particularly for the common
people. Digital card has been prepared and the OMS will be distributed soon
through the cards which will ultimately stop repetition of rice taking by a
particular person."
After approval of the new act, the government could be able to take strict
action against the illegal hoarders, the food minister noted.
The "Production, Storage, Transfer, Transportation, Supply, Distribution and
Marketing of Food Products (Prevention of Prejudicial Activity) Bill, 2023"
with a provision of maximum life imprisonment for illegal hoarding of
foodstuff already has been passed in the parliament, he said.
Now the enactment of rules is going on.
The food minister also asked the Director General of the Department of Food
to issue an order of cancelling leave and weekly holiday of the food
department employees during the anti-hoarding drive.
Chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Naogaon Mohammad Golam Mawla, the view-
exchange meeting also attended, among others, by different district-level
officials, Civil Surgeon of the district Abu Hena Md Raihanuzzaman Sarker,
Upzila Parishad Chairmen, Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) and media
representatives.
