One lakh tons of rice are on sale at subsidized rate in the open market and further allocation may be made if necessary to ease the market, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told newsmen Wednesday, reports UNB.

"We are observing the OMS spots. The number of spots may be increased soon to sell more in line with the demand. OMS allocation will also be raised," he said on the sideline of a round table on Food Security at the BRAC Inn Centre.

He said the government is considering making policy for procurement of non-staple food to reduce the pressure on consumption of rice.

"You can''t change the food habit overnight," he said about the suggestion of eating potato as substitute of rice. "It takes time and also depends on the people."

Referring to the initiative of selling 500 tons of rice in OMS by Chittagong City Corporation, Dr Zilur Rahman said other city corporations and municipalities should follow the instance.

He said the government should decide now the quantum of internal procurement of rice from the expected bumper boro harvest beginning in a week or so across the country. Government procurement should not give rise of price in the market affecting the people already hit hard. About seasonal monga problem in the northern districts the commerce adviser said the government has already formed a committee to tackle the situation.

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