Shameem Reza Dafrul, Gobindaganj (Gaibandha)

A crowd of poor people has been seen in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha to buy low-priced OMS rice under the government's food promotion program for low-income people.

Low-income people are buying this rice by standing in line in front of the dealer's shop from 6/7 am until noon. But due to the shortage of dealers and allocation, most of the poor people are being deprived of this facility.

According to sources from the Gobindaganj Upazila Food Controller's office, rice is being sold at the OMS price of 30 taka per kg under the food promotion program for 5 days a week, except for Fridays and Saturdays.

For this, 5 dealers have been appointed in the municipality and one and a half tons of rice have been allocated to each dealer every day. The sale of this food has started through dealers in the upazila since January 12. But since the allocation is less than the demand, the rice is being sold out by noon. Many are returning without getting rice.

Rabeya Begum (50) of Kuthibari village, who came to buy rice, said that the prices of rice, flour, oil, salt and other things have increased in the market. So I am in great trouble with rice and pulses to eat. Being able to buy this rice at a low price is a great benefit.Alif Mia (45), a rickshaw puller from Satitala village, said that the family is no longer able to survive on the income I earn from driving a rickshaw. So I came from about 5 miles away to Gobindaganj Sadar to buy this low-priced rice.Rahela Begum (45) of Pragati Para said, I came at 6 am and sat in front of the dealer's shop. The rice runs out after giving it to some people. So I came earlier and sat in front of the line. This rice is a great benefit to me.

Low-income people are facing extreme crisis due to the rising price of rice in the market. Therefore, they are flocking to OMS dealer shops to buy low-priced rice. But this OMS rice is being sold only in 5 places in the same area of the municipality, one to one and a half kilometers apart. 2 dealers in ward no. 7 and 3 dealers in ward no. 6 are selling this rice. As a result, poor people in other wards of the municipality are being deprived of this facility.

In addition, many have complained that the same person is buying this rice 3/4 times a day and selling it in the market at a price of 40 taka per kg. This is depriving other poor people. Lablu Mia, the manager of OMS dealer Morsheda Begum, said in front of Tajur's house on Gorsthan Para Road in Gobindaganj that 1500 kg of rice has been allocated. 5 kg of rice is being sold to each person. However, 400-500 people are crowding to buy rice. There is a lot of pushing and shoving. Still, rice is being sold as good as new.

Upazila Food Controller Md. Rawsanul Kawsar said, I am a new member of this upazila. I have observed the shops of OMS dealers and have taken strict measures such as making people who come to buy rice stand in line, so that one person cannot buy rice more than once.

There is no opportunity to increase the appointment of dealers and allocation. However, if the government increases the duration and allocation of the program, it will be increased here too.