Amid measures to control the hike in prices of everyday essentials, especially rice, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder has warned that illegal rice hoarding will result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Irrespective of their political connections or family status, no one will be exempt from prosecution for illicitly stockpiling the staple to manipulate prices, he told an event in Rajahahi on Thursday.
“Some rogue traders raised the prices of rice during the election. The authorities are on the hunt for them. Monitoring across the country has been intensified.”
On whether rice prices would be raised, he said: “None of the traders’ reasonings for raising prices are acceptable. The prime minister gave strict orders
.”Additionally, rice sold at mill gates must now include labels specifying both the manufacturing date and the price in line with government regulations, Majumder added.
He further emphasised that only those with a valid food grain licence are permitted to engage in the rice trade.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 22 issued strong directives for immediate action to be taken against rice hoarders through mobile courts.
Earlier on January 22, five Ministers held a high-level meeting on the directives of the premier and announced that the government has decided to launch an integrated market management and monitoring approach to check market manipulation and curb rising commodity prices ahead of the month of Ramadan.
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