The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Benapole

BDR and intelligence agencies have been closely following the destination of bulk of rice imported from India following allegation of hoarding.

More than 13,000 tons of Indian rice was unloaded at Benapole land port alone on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In spite of bulk imports and harvest of aman crop across the country in November-December, rice price is registering sharp increase to the worries of consumers and discomfort of the government. Price has increased by Tk 400 per quintal at Jessore rice trading centre during the last three days.

Informed sources said importers have been hoarding the rice at places, especially along the border.

A senior official of BDR told UNB that they and intelligence agencies have been directed to closely watch the destinations of the rice unloaded at Benapole. The step has been taken to stabilize the rice market by discouraging hoarding by the importers.

Informed sources said 16 big business houses are the main importers of rice from India.

Officials at the land port said, Petrapole customs on the other side of the border on Wednesday morning issued gate pass to 273 trucks loaded with rice to cross over to Benapole port. Of them, 220 with about 5,000 tons could come and unload the consignment till 6pm. Port officials arranged receiving the rice consignments till 8pm. Some 7,580 tons of rice was unloaded at the port on Tuesday.

Informed sources said Bangladeshi traders have been buying rice at Burdwan, the biggest rice trading centre in West Bengal State, at the prevailing price of around 320 dollars, equivalent to Tk 22,217 per ton.

They have, however, ceased to open L/C following the Indian government raised the minimum export price to 500 dollars per ton on December 27.