Bangladesh Food Ministry committee discusses recruitment and new dealer policies

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Food met at the National Parliament to discuss several key issues, including the creation of new policies for appointing dealers under the Open Market Sale (OMS) and food-friendly programs. The ministry aims to implement these new guidelines to increase transparency in the dealer appointment process.

Addressing personnel shortages, the committee recommended that the 6,653 vacant positions within the Ministry of Food and its subordinate agencies be filled through regular recruitment processes rather than outsourcing.

Regarding food safety, State Minister for Food Md. Abdul Bari stated that the government is taking strict measures to prevent food adulteration during production, processing, and marketing. Efforts are underway to strengthen the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority by establishing mini-laboratories in every office and providing mobile vans for food monitoring. Additionally, the committee discussed the need for strict monitoring to prevent the unauthorized use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.