(Dhaka Tribune) --
* Affordable essentials initiative launched to curb commodity prices
* Advisers inaugurate OMS program
To ensure essential commodities remain within the purchasing power of consumers, the Ministry of Finance and Commerce inaugurated the OMS (Open Market Sale) program in the capital on Tuesday.
The initiative, aimed at providing key food items at affordable prices, was launched by Finance and Trade Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, who emphasized the importance of collective effort to maintain affordability.
Addressing the gathering at Khaddo Bhaban, Ahmed said: “Our effort is to ensure that consumers get everything within their purchasing power at affordable prices. We wish for the cooperation of all of us.”
Lt General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, adviser on agriculture and home affairs, highlighted the presence of market syndicates and called on journalists to uncover instances of extortion.
“There are syndicates at every level of the market. We want your cooperation in this regard. You should investigate and tell us where extortion is taking place on the streets; we must stop that extortion,” he said.
Chowdhury also noted that the initiative, supported by the ministries of agriculture and food, aims to deliver essential items such as eggs, potatoes, onions, and vegetables directly to consumers at fair prices.
Despite recent floods impacting vegetable supplies, he expressed optimism that prices would stabilize soon.
Sale details
Under the OMS truck sale program, consumers can purchase 10 essential food items for Tk650. The package includes:
* 5kg of potatoes at Tk30
* A dozen eggs at Tk130
* 1kg of onion at Tk70
* A piece of gourd at Tk50
Additionally, 1kg of pumpkin, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, kachurmukhi (fresh taro), 3kg of papaya, and 100g of green chillies for Tk250.
Initially, these agricultural products will be available at 20 locations across the capital:
* Khaddo Bhaban
* Manik Mia Avenue
* Mirpur-10
* Basabo
* Basila
* Rayer Bazar
* Rajarbagh
* Mugda North
* Mugda South
* Polashir Mor
* Hazaribagh
* Mohammadpur
* Gabtoli
* Mohakhali Bus Stand
* Begunbari
* Uttar Khan
* Dakshin Khan
* Kamrangirchar
* Rampura
* Jigatala
