The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Food Adviser Tapan Chowdhury yesterday (Tuesday) said the Government is looking for alternative sources for import of rice as India raised the price sharply, resulting unusual price hike of rice in local markets.

Talking to newsmen he said a decision has already been taken to import one lakh tons of rice from Thailand. Import of another 75,000 tons from that country is under active consideration, he added.

"We are considering rice import from other countries like Thailand,

Myanmar and Pakistan. We are also examining the quantum to meet the domestic demand," Chowdhury said when asked if the government will buy rice from India at the enhanced price.

India on December 27 raised the minimum export price of rice at US$500 per ton, third time in less than a year, from US$315 per ton in February last.

In November, India withdrew ban on rice export to Bangladesh in view of the difficulties caused by the devastating cyclone. But later imposed a number of conditions and finally raised the minimum price to US$500 on December 27.

Tapan Chowdhury said the government has taken a move to change the rice import policy to facilitate import from other countries.

He said India had promised to export 5 lakh tons to Bangladesh. "We hope they will sell to us at the earlier price," he added.

He said traders favour import from India because of low carrying cost. But they will now look for alternative sources.

Meanwhile, prices of rice increased further in local markets yesterday. Coarse varieties of rice were selling at Tk 38 to Tk 40 per kg, while Miniket at Tk 46 a kg and Najirshail at Tk 48 a kg in local markets.

Finding no other alternatives, thousands of poor people thronged the BDR's fair price shops in the city early in the morning yesterday to buy rice. By 10:00am, hundreds of people were seen awaiting in long queues in front of the BDR shops.

Visiting the BDR's fair price shop at Kalabagan Club inside the Kalabagan playground in the morning, this correspondent witnessed hundreds of men and women were frantically waiting in long queue to buy rice.

The same situation was also seen at another BDR shop at Wasa office near Bangla College at Mirpur.