Food prices remain stable despite claims of rice price hike: State minister

Prices of rice and other essential commodities remain stable despite allegations of recent increases in rice prices, State Minister for Public Administration and Food Md Abdul Bari said today (27 June).

Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 in parliament, the state minister said the government had reviewed the market after concerns were raised over rice prices and found that prices remained stable.

He added that the prime minister is personally monitoring the matter closely and has issued necessary directives to keep commodity prices stable.

Bari told the parliament that ensurimg good governance in every sector is one of the key priorities of the government.

"Under the directives of prime minister, transparency, accountability and good governance are being ensured across the administration... Honesty, efficiency and merit are being given the highest priority in recruitment, postings and promotions," he added. 

Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the parliament, he observed that successful implementation of the budget is not possible without an efficient and honest civil administration.

In this connection, he said the government is rebuilding the administrative system that had been "destroyed over the past 17 years.

Describing the proposed budget as people-friendly, realistic and implementable, the state minister said it had been formulated following extensive preparations, consultations with different stakeholders and careful consideration of future economic challenges.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held extensive consultations with representatives of various sectors before the budget was prepared, while the finance minister worked tirelessly to present a pragmatic budget. 

He thanked both the prime minister and the finance minister for their tireless efforts to this end.

Bari said the budget has attached special importance to creating an investment-friendly environment, eliminating bureaucratic delays through one-stop services, reforming the financial sector, restructuring the banking system, ensuring energy and food security, and generating employment.

Bari said several social safety net programmes, including Family Cards, Farmer Cards, allowances for heads of religious institutions and Health Cards have been incorporated into the budget to strengthen the rural economy.

"Once these initiatives are implemented, inflation will come under control and relief will return to the lives of people," he said.

Highlighting the importance of the creative economy, Bari said the government is encouraging the cultivation of high-value crops such as grapes, avocados and strawberries in different parts of the country, creating new economic opportunities.

He also said the prime minister is personally supervising the proper utilisation of every taka of the Taka 316,075 crore allocated for the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

"If development expenditures are implemented properly, employment, income and investment will increase, enabling the country to gradually move towards a developed economy," he added.