Khulna: Government-run Open Market Sale (OMS) outlets in Khulna city are experiencing a significant increase in crowds, as more people, primarily from low-income backgrounds, depend on the programme to purchase rice and flour at government-fixed rates.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, residents of Khulna city are demonstrating increased interest in the OMS facility. The programme, limited to 31 city wards and unavailable in rural areas, attracts people from nearby upazilas, resulting in long queues at several dealer points. On-the-spot visits confirmed that large numbers of people gather at OMS outlets from early morning throughout the city. Each dealer point receives an allocation of one tonne of rice and one tonne of flour daily, intended to serve approximately 200 consumers, but demand often exceeds these allocations, leaving many without supplies.
Firoza Begum, a 55-year-old widow from Rajapur village in Aichhgati Union of Rupsha upazila, shared her experience of crossing the river early in the morning to purchase five kilograms of rice and flour from an OMS outlet in Ward No-21. Similarly, at M/S Manjuara Enterprise dealer point in Ward No-26, over 300 people, including Taslima Begum and Shanti Bala from the Sachibunia area of Batiaghata upazila, gathered for the same purpose.
Rahmatullah, a 53-year-old rickshaw puller from the Khalishpur area, noted the influx of people from both the city and nearby villages seeking the OMS facility. He mentioned, “Over the past month, many new faces are seen here. OMS sales should be expanded to rural areas.”
Under the OMS programme, rice is sold at Tk 30 per kg and flour at Tk 24 per kg. Food Department dealer Md Russell Bhulu of Ward No-11 remarked on the early queues and the daily turnout of more than 300 people despite provisions for only 200. Dealer Chan Mia Selim of Ward No-8 echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the arrival of new consumers from areas across the Bhairab River, such as Dighalia, Terokhada, and Rupsha.
At an OMS outlet near Sonadanga Bus Stand, Shahjahan Ali, a cloth hawker, described his experiences with the long queues, noting that he now regularly visits OMS points. Similar scenes were observed in Daulatpur, Khan Jahan Ali, Khalishpur, and Sonadanga areas, with men, women, and children waiting in line.
Afroza, who queued at an OMS outlet in Sheikhpara market, expressed relief upon securing rice and flour, having waited in line since 5:00 am for sales starting at 9:00 am. Dealer Md Swapan from the Tutpara area in Ward No-30 expressed difficulties in meeting demand due to the rising number of buyers.
Khulna Metropolitan OMS Monitoring Officer and Upazila Food Controller Md Ashrafuzzaman explained that rice and flour are sold through 31 dealers in 31 wards of Khulna city, with each dealer receiving one tonne of rice and one tonne of flour daily. He added that the increased demand has been communicated to higher authorities. Regional Food Controller Md Mamunur Rashid reported that crowding at OMS points has intensified, and dealers have been instructed to adhere strictly to government guidelines. Food Department officials are overseeing operations, and several food inspectors have been relieved of duty for negligence.