SUBSIDIZED rice and flour meant for Open Market Sale (OMS) among poor groups have been reported to be sold in the black markets because of zero monitoring by the government. This resulted in virtual collapse of the OMS introduced by the government to protect financially vulnerable groups when essential prices become expensive for them. Moreover, OMS dealers adopted various tactics to discourage poor groups from buying rice and flour from their trucks; so that they could sell most of the supplies in the black market.
Can we simply ask where would the poor people go to procure rice, flour or any other commodity if such rampant corruption riddles the OMS scheme?
Irregularities in the OMS system challenge the government’s target to ensure food security for all. Additionally, according to a local daily report, two poor men were bullet-hit on April 12 by a dealer while buying rice from a OMS shop at Kurigram – an area known for its stark poverty. And that’s not all; Dhaka’s Rationing Chief Controller has reported that an employee of the food department was assigned to inspect two OMS outlets in addition to his or her normal duty. At Badda, Tejgaon and Mohammadpur, reporters of the same newspaper found three government supervisors doing their duty only on three days and they were not available in the rest of the two weeks. Isn’t there any one to monitor the supervisors?
Markedly the entire OMS functioning chain has been corrupted by government officials and only their remedial measures can bring back discipline. We expect our law enforcement agencies to get involved to deter corrupt practices while identify the culprit officials. The poor and needy people of the country should not be deprived of their lawful citizen rights to procure rice or any food items at a cheaper rate.
The government should carefully investigate into the matter and transparently deal with its findings. It will definitely create pressure on the earnings of poor section, if the OMS system totally fails. And taking this opportunity, the dishonest traders could take an effort to hike the prices of essentials.
