Even after 10 days of launch of the programme to reduce prices of rice, dealers could not be appointed in all upazilas and unions, thereby delaying supply of OMS rice to remote areas.

An official told the Daily Star that there is instruction to appoint two dealers in each union. But many unions are still without any dealer. Only 98 dealers have so far been appointed in 11 upazilas, including 10 in Sylhet City Corporation areas.

There is lack of interest among foodgrain traders to accept OMS dealership because of small allotment, high transportation cost and poor communication network with upazilas.

Three dealers are to be appointed in each upazila headquarters. But this could not be fulfilled, officials said.

In Sylhet city, 10 out of 12 dealers were appointed till Monday. For all these reasons, the programme could not be started in remote areas.

In Sadar upazila, only five dealers have been appointed.

However, more dealers would be appointed within days, claimed the District Food Controller on Monday.

He said food grain traders in Sylhet region are not that much interested to get OMS dealership. Some of them consider it an 'extra trouble for a very small profit', he said.

Official sources said 180 tonnes of rice were supplied in Sylhet under the OMS programme till November one.

Though this is not a big quantity to influence the market, supply of rice from government godowns under other programmes contributed to contain the price spiral, he claimed.

About 2,000 tonnes of rice were distributed in the district in last 10 days under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), Vulnerable Group Development (VGD), Test Relief (TR) and Gratuitious Relief (GR) programmes, he added.

Besides, sale of OMS rice per head has been raised to 5 kg from 3 kg.

However, there is demand for OMS rice in the city as well as in rural areas.

While visiting some areas in the city yesterday, this correspondent saw that OMS rice was sold within a short time.