Food minister vows to eliminate ‘syndicates’

NARAYANGANJ, Oct 6: “No government likes syndicates. We also want the word ‘syndicate’ to disappear altogether. Because whenever syndicates exist, ordinary people suffer,” Food Minister Afroza Khanam said on Tuesday.

She made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after inspecting government food storage facilities and installations in Siddhirganj around noon.

“Our main goal is to ensure safe food reaches the people. Following the prime minister’s directives, the Ministry of Food is working towards that goal,” she said.

The ministry is regularly monitoring the market situation, food stocks and the supply system, the minister said, adding that they had not faced any major problems so far.

“We will take necessary measures so that any problem can be resolved quickly in the future,” she said.

Asked about the launch of a project to produce nutritious rice, Afroza said she could not give a specific timeline at this moment.

“We came here today. We will discuss the matter with the concerned officials and try to launch the project as soon as possible,” she said.

Earlier, the minister began her inspection at around 10am at the government modern flour mill in Postogola, Dhaka. She later reached the Narayanganj silo around 1pm and inspected the silo and the Narayanganj Premix Kernel Mill located inside the facility.

During the inspection, the minister discussed grain storage, storage capacity, mill operations and various aspects of food management with officials. She also reviewed the operations of the facilities and gave necessary instructions.

Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir, Police Superintendent Habibur Rahman, Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan and officials from the relevant departments were present.