The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

With a view to revamp food stock in the country the Government has decided to procure 1-lakh tonnes of imported wheat from local suppliers.

The decision came at a meeting of the Advisers Commitee on Public Purchase yesterday as the Food Ministry proposed procurement of wheat against the backdrop of growing concerns about the country's food reserves in the wake of fresh floods.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam after the meeting apprised newsmen that wheat per kg would be procured at prices between Tk 25.78 and Tk 26.83. The total procurement cost will stand at Tk 260.53 crore and the government will float tender for the purpose.

The Adviser, however, ruled out any food crisis and claimed that the country has sufficient food stock.

"The supply of food is satisfactory… there's nothing to worry," he said.

He noted that the prices of foodstuff in the international market are on the rise, "but we are selling rice at a lower price than that of the import".

Meeting sources said the commitee, also approved a proposal of the Industries Ministry for seting up of a central effluent-treatment plant at a cost of Tk 296 crore in the proposed Savar Leather Industrial Zone (SLIZ).

But the project will be subject to approval by the SLIZ, which is yet to be approved by the government, Aziz said.

Sources also said the purchase commitee gave nod to another proposal of the Housing and Public Works Ministry for earth filling of the third-phase project of Utara Model Town.