The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government is considering Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice at union level, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told newsman yesterday.

With a view to help ease the burden of common people, the Adviser said, the government is also thinking of increasing the volume of rice sold through OMS in Dhaka city from 350 tones a day to between 1,000 and 1,500 tones a day.

Dr Zillur was speaking after a meeting on economic issues with economists, representatives of development partners and the local businessmen at commerce ministry.

After failing to arrest soaring of commodity prices the government is trying to find ways to help common people by intervening in the market through alternative ways.

The Adviser said the number of OMS centres in Dhaka city fell far short of the required number, but the proposed increase in rice sales in the capital would target garments and industrial workers.

Zillur felt that the OMS centres should be opened where the needy people like garment and industrial workers live.

He said the government is also considering to rebuild the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) by meeting one-half or one-third of the total requirements with potatoes as the country attained bumper production of the crop this year.

"I think this is very good thinking. It will benefit the farmers and increase food security," the Adviser said.

As part of a series of discussions aimed at bringing economic solvency to the masses, Zillur said the caretaker administration was thinking about implementing a food-for-work programme in Alipur Union, which was hit by devastating Cyclone Sidr last year.

Replying to a query the Commerce Adviser said price hike of edible oil at the wholesale market has been stopped.

"There will now be a consequent impact on the retail market."

The Adviser said the Finance Ministry is considering a dearness allowance for government service holders to help them cope with the price spiral of essentials.