It is a reassuring piece of news that The Daily Star came up with yesterday, specially for the jumpy nerves of those worried about country's food situation: supply in country's food market, says the report, is normal. But this assurance tends to get considerably watered down when read in the backdrop of the market reality. Price of rice, the traditionally most effective yardstick in any market review shows an alarming upward surge. Prices of different varieties of rice have increased by Taka 100 to 120 per maund. Even after one takes into consideration all the impediments a crisis like this brings along, the ’jump’ in rice price if not that of vegetables is too much and largely artificial. It does not boil to a demand-supply crisis. The havoc caused to the overland communications system should not be used as an excuse. Roads and railway tracks may have become unpllable but the river route is there. The fact is businessmen in the habit of profiting from people's miseries are hoarding essentials like rice. The fear psychosis of the oublic which has triggered a tendency to stock for future is also responsible.

Floods always lead to rise in the price of essentials. There is nothing new about it. But the government would be well advised to take stringent measures against the soaring tendency of the price index right now. Active intervention is necessary to dissuade hoarding of essentials. The government can make effective use of the media to discourage panic buying. Besides, it should take steps to streamline the distribution system. Open Market Sale of rice can be considered to tackle with the unscrupulous hoarders. But the authorities have to make sure that the objective of OMS is not lost through a perfunctory approach to the Job. Unfailing vigil must be kept up to ensure that the step does not dissipate into a mere papery exercise with the need of the 'real needy' going unaddressed. Specially. the interior parts of the country should be given priority.