Govt food stocks to be increased to prevent market manipulation: Adviser

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said that although the country's food situation is satisfactory, it is not reflected in the market. If the government does not have sufficient stocks, traders try to take advantage. Traders try to manipulate (market manipulation) in various ways. That is why initiatives have been taken to increase the government's food stocks through imports. In addition, government supply will be ensured.

He said these things during a briefing to journalists after the meeting of the Food Planning and Supply Committee on Wednesday (January 22).

The Finance Adviser said, "Supply will be ensured in the sectors where the government supplies food. So we want to stock food. If we do not have it, traders try to take advantage. So even if we import, we always want to keep the stocks appropriate."

At the same time, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said that due to untimely floods, the production of Aush and Aman has not been as per the target. As a result, there is a shortage in the government's internal procurement. If the next Boro season yields well, the deficit will be reduced.

He said, the government will not wait for the Boro season. For this, it has been decided to import rice and wheat. If imported from neighboring countries, the cost is lower. But initiatives have been taken to import from other countries as well. Hopefully, there will be no deficit.