Govt approves import of 1 lakh tonne rice from India, Pakistan

The government has approved several proposals, including imports of rice, edible oil and lentils to strengthen food security and stabilise prices ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

The approvals were given at a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, today (23 December) at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat, with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed presiding.

The meeting recommended two proposals from the Ministry of Food to procure a total of 100,000 tonnes of rice.

Of this, 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice will be imported from India through the international open tender method at an estimated cost of Tk217.53 crore, while another 50,000 tonnes of white rice will be imported from Pakistan under a government-to-government arrangement at around Tk241.52 crore.

Officials said the rice imports would help maintain adequate public food stocks and curb market volatility during Ramadan when demand for essentials rises sharply.

The Directorate General of Food will implement the procurement to ensure the timely arrival of consignments and strengthen buffer stocks.

To keep edible oil prices stable, the meeting also approved the procurement of 4.75 crore litres of edible oil.

This includes 1 crore litres of refined rice bran oil from local sources and 3.75 crore litres of soybean oil from international sources through direct purchase methods.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh is expected to distribute the oil through subsidised sales across the country.

In addition, the committee approved the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of lentils through the national open tender method at an estimated cost of Tk72.20 crore.

The lentils will be procured in 50-kg bags and distributed through government channels to stabilise the market and support low- and middle-income consumers.