As prices of essential commodities continue to rise, low-income people in Khulna city are facing hardship, forcing thousands to crowd Open Market Sale (OMS) outlets in search of affordable rice and flour.
In recent weeks, even lower-middle-class families—previously able to manage market prices—have begun joining the queues, increasing pressure on OMS points across the city.
The government-run OMS programme has emerged as a crucial support for residents struggling with the rising cost of living. However, the initiative is currently limited to 31 wards under the Khulna City Corporation.
The absence of OMS facilities at the grassroots level has compelled residents from nearby rural areas to travel into the city, further swelling crowds at the outlets. Many people wait for hours, only to return home empty-handed when supplies run out.
At an OMS outlet operated by Konika Enterprise in Ward No. 21, 55-year-old widow Firoza Begum said she crossed the river early in the morning from Rajapur village in Aichgati union of Rupsha upazila to purchase subsidised rice and flour. “I cannot afford market prices anymore,” she said after waiting several hours to buy five kilograms each of rice and flour.
Similar scenes were observed at Manjuara Enterprise in Ward No. 26, where more than 300 people, including Taslima Begum and Shanti Bala from Sachibunia in Batiaghata upazila, gathered to buy rice.
On-the-spot visits revealed that each OMS outlet receives one tonne of rice and one tonne of flour daily—enough for about 200 consumers. However, the number of buyers often exceeds 400 to 500, leaving many without any purchase.
Rickshaw puller Rahmatullah (53) from Khalishpur New Market said people are now coming not only from the city but also from surrounding villages. “Over the past month, many new faces have appeared,” he said.
OMS rice is sold at Tk 30 per kg and flour at Tk 24 per kg, compared to market prices of Tk 50–55 for rice and around Tk 45 for flour. He stressed the need to expand OMS operations to rural areas.
Food Department dealer Md Rasel Bhulu from Ward No. 11 said queues start forming early in the morning. “We are authorised to sell to 200 people, but more than 300 come every day,” he said.
Another dealer, Chan Mia Selim from Ward No. 8, confirmed that buyers are arriving from across the Bhairab River, including Dighalia, Terokhada and Rupsha.
At the OMS outlet near Sonadanga Bus Stand, garment hawker Shahjahan Ali said that rising prices have forced him into queues for the first time. “I never imagined I would have to stand in line for food,” he said.
Khulna Metropolitan OMS Monitoring Officer and Upazila Food Controller Md Ashrafuzzaman said that demand has surged sharply and authorities have been informed about the need to increase allocations.
Regional Food Controller Md Mamunur Rashid said that strict monitoring is underway, and several inspectors have already been relieved of duty for negligence.
