The government froze the prices of three principal food staples – rice, milk, chicken and Portland-kind cement. Ministry of Industry and Commerce ruled that rice will have a maximum price of RD$5.50, liquid milk will sell for RD$15 and chicken, RD$12. Grey cement will sell for RD$68.60. The measure comes at a time when the government is influenced by the upcoming municipal and congressional elections to be held on 16 May.
