Online Desk: Issuing a warning to hoarders, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday said those who are involved in hoarding goods illegally will not be spared by slapping fine only, rather they will be jailed if they are not corrected.

“To bring the prices of rice at a tolerable level, the traders have to change their mindset of making more profit. Millers, retailers, wholesalers and corporates all are responsible for the hike in rice price,” he said.

The minister came up with the remarks while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the public representatives and government officials concerned at deputy commissioner’s conference room in Naogaon at noon.

He also said the government will soon introduce digital card for OMS products distribution to prevent taking goods by the same person frequently.

Referring to the “Production, Storage, Transfer, Transportation, Supply, Distribution and Marketing of Food Products (Prevention of Prejudicial Activity) Bill, 2023, Sadhan said already the bill was passed in parliament. “Stern action will be taken against the illegal hoarders through enforcement of the law.”

Besides, he also asked the director general of the Directorate General of Food over phone to issue an order to cancel the leave of all officials concerned during the anti-hoarding drive.