Moreover, poor people for whom the OMS has been launched are showing little interest in the rice, some dealers in Rangpur told this correspondent yesterday.

All enlisted dealers in these districts have lifted allotments of rice from government food depots but they are facing problems in selling the rice. Most of the listed quantities are unsold, which is unusual, they said.

An OMS dealer seeking anonymity said people show less interest in the rice as it is of 'vary bad quality' but its price is close to prices of rice available in local markets.

He said, government has fixed the price of OMS rice at Tk 14.50 per kg while coarse rice is being sold at Tk 16.50 to Tk 17 in markets.

Mojibor Rahman, a rickshawpuller in Ershad Nagar in the town, said he went to buy OMS rice from a dealer at Babupara but returned as the rice is not much cheaper but its quality is very bad.

"Bad quality OMS rice is sold at Tk 14.50 per kg while good quality coarse rice is available at Tk 16.50 in markets", he said.

Government launched the OMS programme on Saturday in 64 district headquarters and in cities to contain price hike of the rice and help poor people. It will continue till harvest of Aman paddy in November.

Local food department officials, when contacted, said OMS operation only in district headquarters and cities will not be effective in containing the price spiral unless the rice is sold at union level.

An official at Kurigram Upazila Food Controller's office seeking anonymity said OMS rice is needed more in rural areas than in district towns as most of the day labourers live in rural areas where they have no work now.

There are 15 food dealers in Rangpur, 20 in Kurigram and 20 in Lalmonirhat districts, selected by the district food controller's office.

Allegations have it that the dealers were selected on political consideration. Most of the dealers belong ruling BNP, sources claimed.