The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Rangpur

Food department cancelled licence of 175 rice mills in Rangpur, as the mill owners had not sign on rice procurement agreement paper with the government during the boro season.

Owners of the mills were informed on July 15 that licence of their mills were cancelled due to violation of condition with the government. Meanwhile, cancellation of 175 licenses of rice mills disappointed the rice traders, other rice mill owners and rice dealers of the district.

Preferring to the unnamed a rice mill owner of Rangpur sadar upazila told that he did not sign on the agreement with the government this boro season due to prices of rice in the markets. "I know I will incur a great loss if I signed the agreement," the mill owner explained.

The government has tar-geted to procure 490000 mt of rice and 18000 mt of boro paddy this season. A total 572 number of rice mill owners signed the agreement to help the government in procuring rice. Rest 175 did not comply with the department of food.

Of the target about 36000 mt of rice and 230 mt of paddy have been procured from the first week of April. District Food Controller Mr. Mohshin said, "Price of rice in the market is higher than the government rate. Hopefully, we may be able to procure rest 13000 mt of rice within the stipulated period." The DC food about procurement of boro paddy said, "We are still not sure if we ca fulfil the target."

About the rice mill owners whose licenses were cancelled Mr. Mohshin said. "It is not true that they ignored signing the deal due to higher prices of rice in the markets. At the outset of the procurement drive, price of rice.