Our Correspondent
SYLHET, Sept 01: As the authority failed to achieve the target of rice procurement till August 31, the Food Department may extend the deadline for weeks, an official hinted.
However, the division's target had been raised to 53,568 tonnes from 35,558 tonnes, an official informed.
So far, 36,411 tonnes of rice had been procured against the targeted 53,568 tonnes through the millers, who had earlier contracted for the supply to the food department, an official in its Sylhet divisional office informed.
Of the total 12,337 tonnes of parboiled rice was procured against the target of 17,514 tonnes while 24,074 tonnes of Atap (non-boiled) rice were procured against target of 36,054 tonnes.
However, only 1,177 tonnes of paddy could be purchased yet in Habiganj against the target of 3,000 tonnes while 5,354 tonnes in Sunamganj having a target of 7,500 tonnes.
The two other districts of the division however, had been dropped from the paddy procurement programme for unknown reason reasons, sources informed.
The rice procurement is being done only through the contract millers while the food department decided paddy purchase only from farmers.
But, only listed farmers get the chance to supply paddy, an official said while common farmers alleged they are not allowed at the government depots. Some selected people are taking the advantage due to their political links.
Although the procurement programme was set till August, it might be extended for weeks. Contracts were signed with the millers for the supply through 44 purchasing centres in the region, the official added. Tk 37 is being paid for Atap and Tk 38 for the boiled rice per kg.
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