OMS to stabilise rice price
For sustainability, adequate food supply necessary
That the government has started its Open Market Sales (OMS) of rice ahead of the Ramadan at a lower price than the kitchen market price is a welcome move. The price of OMS rice at Tk 24 per kg, which is less by Tk 6 to Tk 7 than that in the kitchen market should be helpful for the poorer section of the population. However, for the OMS rice to leave any impact on the market price of rice, the government will have to ensure that the quantity of rice on sale under OMS is adequate and that it is spread over different parts of the country, with special emphasis on the poverty pockets and flood-hit areas. And since, questions sometimes arise about the quality of OMS rice, it is important that the dealers who have been employed by the commerce ministry to sell the rice are brought under close monitoring.
However, the success of the OMS, firstly in curbing price spiral, and, secondly in addressing the needs of the poor and the vulnerable groups on a sustainable basis, the authorities concerned will need to take stock of its overall reserve of food grains kept in the government godowns.
The government's assurances about its position of rice stock at 0.7 million tonnes notwithstanding, the fact remains that it is going for importing another 0.7 million tons from the overseas market. But it has to be kept in mind that price of food grains in the international market is on the rise. In Canada, for example, there have been floods affecting its food grain production. The vagaries of nature have also been affecting other traditional food grains surplus countries. So, the government's drive to create a buffer food stock may face some hurdles in the international market.
On the home front, on the other hand, the procurement of rice from growers through public purchase has fallen short of expectation, if only because of the price differential between procurement and market prices. So, all these factors will have to be taken into account for a long-term sustainability of the overall food stock situation. It has also a direct bearing on the government's capacity to maintain the supply of adequate rice through OMS, fair price cards and other means such as VGF and VGD cards meant for the poor, ultra-poor and the calamity-struck population.
On an overall basis, it will be necessary to further activate the state-owned trading body, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). It is worthwhile to note that this government trade body proved to be rather sloppy in maintaining supply of essentials to contain Ramadan price hike last year. So to improve its capacity, the government would do well to increase its manpower and remove its other shortcomings, so that it may efficiently handle its tasks of ensuring adequate supply of essentials.
The government's success in offsetting the volatile market of the essentials created allegedly by the so-called syndicates depends on its ability to maintain the supply of food grains and other essentials through timely off-takes from silos and proper distribution mechanisms. It depends on how the government will fare in its ongoing drive through OMS and how dynamic the TCB proves to be.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
19 June 2026, 19:07 PM
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Dolphin deaths must be investigated
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Weak policing fuelling rise in crimes
17 June 2026, 18:18 PM
Editorial
Comments