The government directed district and police administrations to arrest those hoarding rice illegally across the country.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the leaders of Auto Mill Owners’ Association at the Secretariat on Sunday, reports UNB.
“The rice price is soaring due to the illegal hoarding. Actions will be taken against the illegal hoarders. The owners will be arrested if there is any illegal hoarding of rice,” he said.
Recently, the law enforcers conducted a drive at a warehouse owned by Bangladesh Rice Mills Association Chairman Abdur Rashid in Kushtia.
During the drive, they found additional rice hoarded at the silo and fined it Tk 50,000.
Referring to the incident, Tofail said the registration of the association, led by Abdur Rashid and Layek Ali, will be revoked if it is found that they are responsible for the rice crisis.
He said a joint meeting of three ministries with the Rice Mill Owners’ Association, Rice Importers’ Association, wholesalers and retailers will be held at the Food Ministry on Tuesday.
Food Minister Qamrul Islam was present at the meeting.
