Govt to launch special OMS for poor people from next week

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DHAKA, March 31,2020 (BSS) – The government is going to launch special open market sale (OMS) of rice at a subsidised rate in all city corporations’ areas of the country in order to ensure food for lower income people amid ongoing nationwide shutdown due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“We have decided to launch special food programme for the poor at a price of Taka 10 per kg, tentatively from the next week in all the city corporations’ areas across the country”, said Food Secretary Dr Mosammat Nazmunara Khanam while talking to BSS tonight.

The programme will start possibly from the next week, she said, adding that a guideline will be prepared before launching of the programme.

Besides, to make an overall assessment of the public sector food stock is also necessary for smooth running of the programme, said the food secretary.

The programme will be launched to meet the food demand for the poor people in the wake of the rising pandemic of the coronavirus transmission across the country as the poor are remaining jobless due to the situation since March 26.

Under the situation, the prices of all varieties of rice, including the coarse one, have now shot up significantly in the kitchen markets, she added.