The cabinet has directed the authorities concerned to take prompt action against any kind of hoarding of rice in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The Commerce, food and agriculture ministers and their secretaries have been asked to take immediate steps to find out the reasons behind price hike of rice through monitoring and supervision, although the full harvesting season of rice is going on, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said.

In a press briefing at the Cabinet division board room on Monday, he said the cabinet today held talks over market mechanism to check price of rice and oil.

Replying to a question, the cabinet secretary said that many companies without taking government permission or authority have been engaged in rice trading.

He continued: "The cabinet orders immediate action to check unauthorised rice trading by any company or any sort of rice stockpiling."

The cabinet asked the authorities concerned to find out the people who are behind illegal stockpiling of rice and the places where they hoarded those, he added.

The cabinet secretary said the government is committed to finding out the stockpiled rice likewise oil.

In responding to another question, he said no discussion was held about import of rice.

BDST: 1853 HRS, May 30 2022
MSK/SMS