Govt. to sell rice at Tk 15 per kg to 55 lakh people: Food Adviser

NN ONLINE:

Under the food-friendly program the government has started selling rice at Taka 15 per kg among people from August 17 last. The rice will be sold about 55 lakh people, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today said at a press briefing at local circuit house today.

The adviser said after taking the rice selling initiative the rice market remained under control throughout the country.
Rice selling is going on five days a week among 10 lakh people in eight districts of Rangpur division through registered dealers, he said, adding if required quantity of rice will be increased.

Describing the Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions as the food banks of the country, the food adviser said the largest paddy and rice procurement campaign in the country’s history has been implemented successfully in this region.

“There is adequate food stock in the depots. To avoid any crisis in the food market, permission has been given to import rice through land ports,” he said.
Legal action will be taken against the hoarders if they try to create any artificial crisis, he warned.

Ali Imam Majumder however said, the country’s rice production is sufficient to meet the local demand. But, decision for import was taken to meet the additional demands for cows, buffaloes, goats and poultry feeding.
The food adviser noted that supply of rice in the market has been increased after the news of rice import surfaced, bringing the market price of rice completely under control.

The rice import activities will continue depending on demand, he added.

Pointing out the high cost of producing all types of food items including paddy the adviser said considering the matter the government has taken initiatives to purchase paddy from farmers and rice from traders at fair rate.

“We are implementing the decision so that no one is deprived,” he said.
Earlier in the morning, the Food Adviser exchanged views with stakeholders on controlling the prices of food.  Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam presided over the meeting