The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dinajpur

The government-launched IRRI-Boro rice and paddy procurement drive achieved its target in the district this year after extension of two months time.

The drive began in May with a target to procure 1.27 lakh mts of rice and 10,500 mts of paddy till August 31. The price of per kg rice was fixed at Tk 28 while per kg paddy at Tk 15.

But the target was not achieved by August 31 due to unwillingness of the mill owners. District Food Control Officer Abdullah Al Mamun said the target of only paddy procurement was achieved by the stipulated time. Rice mill owners, who earlier signed contract with the government, did not supply rice to the procurement centre due to higher price in the open market.

In this situation, Food Department cancelled license of 300 rice mills for not supplying rice. The government extended the time limit of supplying rice to October 31 from August 31 on request by the businessmen.

Later, owners of 200 rice mills, out of 300, renewed their license and supplied rice to government godowns. The Food Control Officer said the Ministry has given directives to collect additional 12,559 mts from the district and it is expected that target would be achieved by October 31.