The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers' Committee on Public Purchase yesterday approved import of four lakh tons of rice from India at the rate of US$ 430 per ton. The import scheduled will be executed within 60 days.

"The imports are being made to maintain our food stock," Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam told reporters after the meeting held at the Cabinet Division.

Replying to question, he said the boro harvest would start after one and half month, but the consumption of rice would rise as the quantum of open market sale (OMS) increases from April.

He added that the government was not certain as to how much could be procured from the boro production.

Replying to another question, the Adviser reiterated that the country has no shortage of food at this moment, having a food stock that could meet food requirements for three months.

Earlier, the committee had approved import of one lakh tons of rice from the Indian state of West Bengal at an average price of US$ 399 per ton under bilateral official arrangement.