The consumers' rights protection body would soon consult with the relevant government agencies and rice experts to find out scientific facts about cutting coarse rice and marketing the staple after the name 'Miniket'.
The plan came at a views exchange meeting in the capital on Tuesday, when the DNCRP chief's announcement to impose restriction on marketing any rice after the name 'Miniket' ended in strong protest from the traders.
"Now since you are not agreeing with it and raising objections, we will sit with the food ministry and rice experts to find out the scientific facts before coming to a decision on stopping use of the name Miniket," DNCRP Director General AHM Shafiquzzaman said.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) organised the meeting at its office in the city with representatives of super shops and food companies, aimed at reviewing the prices of packaged daily essentials like rice, pulses, flour, sugar, salt etc.
Addressing the meeting, the DG said there will be no rice called 'Miniket' in the local market and necessary steps will be taken to stop it.
The traders, however, observed that the restriction would have a negative impact on the market.
Niaz Morshed, senior manager (business operation) of PRAN-RFL, said: "There are complaints that coarse rice is being processed into Miniket. But there is no such machine in the country to cut other rice."
He claimed that Miniket is a brand and it has been in the market for a long time. "A sudden ban on its name could have a negative impact on the market."
In response, Mr Shafikuzzaman said rice is usually named after the variety of a paddy and there is no such variety named Miniket in the country.
"So, where is this rice coming from?" he raised the question, adding: "It sounds like you (traders) don't have the knowledge on how you make this rice. But we've information that cheaper rice is processed and sold in the market as Miniket at a higher price."
City Group Director Biswajit Saha said none of the producers increase the price of these products at their will. The prices are fixed after discussing it with the government agencies like Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission.
Mahadi Faisal, chief of business at super shop Swapno, said there is a rumor that the outlets were raising the prices of packaged products in collaboration with the companies.
"But there is no chance of such wrongdoings. We are not involved in any such activities. We want to get rid of false allegations which are severely affecting our businesses," he said.
