Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today said there is no chance of famine in the country as the country has record more than 21 lakh tonnes food reserve which is highest since the independence.

“There is no chance of famine in the country…country’s food stock has crossed 21 lakh tonnes which is record highest since after the independence”, he told the journalists while visiting the sale of rice and flour at different shops under the open market sale (OMS) here.

“It is enough to have a food reserve of maximum 10 lakh tonnes in the country, but now our food reserve crossed 21 lakh tonnes under the public sector”, said the minister, adding that the country has no food shortage at all.”

Regarding the country-wide OMS operation, the food minister said although the Aman paddy harvesting has been concluded recently across the country and it is not suitable time for OMS operation.

But the government has kept the programme open aiming to reduce the sufferings of the lower income people, he added.

Under the programme, the government is selling 14,500 tonnes of rice and flour (atta) at subsidized rate across the country through 2,550 dealers.

The OMS programme will continue as long as the people will demand, Majumder told the journalists.

The government is deeply observing the OMS operation and strict action will be taken immediately against the concerned dealer if any irregularities unearthed to this end.

Majuder said, “The government is going to launch food friendly programme for the extreme poor across the country from March 1 where 50 lakh poor families will get monthly 30kgs of rice at a cost of Taka 15, per kg.”

Regional Food Controller of Rajshahi Division GM Faruque Patwary, District Food Controller Alamgir Kabir and other concerned food ministry officials were present at that time.