Eight teams of the ministry started the drives to detect those who are involved in creating artificial crisis by hoarding rice illegally and they will take legal steps against them, according to an official release.

The decision was taken at a meeting with Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder in the chair, held at the Secretariat. 

The meeting also decided to send letters to the deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers, National Security Intelligence, Rapid Action Battalion and Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to tackle the crisis created by illegal hoarding of rice.

The Food Ministry also opened a control room and people have been requested to inform them about illegal rice hoarding by making phone call on +88022233802113, 01790499942 and 01713003506.

The Cabinet on Monday directed the relevant authorities to find out why the rice price is so high during the peak harvest season.

The directive came from the Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office.

The meeting decided to conduct drives against illegal rice hoarders like the recent drives carried out against the edible oil hoarders in the country, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.