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He also said the government is working to launch an AI-based supply chain monitoring system to track each stage, including import, stock, wholesale, and retail.

Another DC, requesting anonymity, said several of his peers urged policymakers in commerce, agriculture, and food ministries to ensure an adequate stockpile of items such as soybean oil, potatoes, onions, and green chillies, the prices of which often go up, especially during Ramadan. The US-Israel war on Iran also sent fuel prices skyrocketing.

The DCs were told a decision would soon be made on whether the government would build cold storages or encourage entrepreneurs and that efforts would be made to increase imports of essential goods through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the textile and jute ministry informed the DCs that the process of transferring around 50 closed and struggling mills to the private sector was underway. The government expects this initiative to create a large number of jobs for the youth.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said the government would provide three months of financial and food assistance to nearly 1 lakh families affected by heavy rain and flash floods in the haor regions.

Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid said haor farmers will receive at least Tk 7,500 over the next three months, though the exact amount is yet to be finalised.

The DCs also proposed increasing VGF rice for the poor from 10kg to a higher amount and doubling the distribution of corrugated iron sheets from three bundles to six.