Food dept fails to achieve paddy purchase target in Sylhet division

SYLHET, Sept 19: The Food Department has failed to achieve paddy procurement target for Sylhet division this season, although, at the same time the department has achieved the target of rice procurement.
The department ran two drives at the same time. One is rice procurement drive which was operated all the four districts of the division.
Another one is 'paddy procurement drive' which was operated in Habiganj and Sunamganj districts only.
The last date of the both drives was August 31. Later, the authority extended the time till 15 September.
Sources said some 1,177 tonnes of paddy have been procured in Habiganj against the target of 3,000 tonnes and some 6,858 tonnes have been procured in Sunamganj while the target was 7,500 tonnes.
An official at the department said paddy has been collected from listed farmers only.
A good number of farmers alleged that two other districts of the division-Sylhet and Moulvibazar-were dropped from the drive and the authority concerned did not give any proper explanation in this connection.
Meanwhile, the authority procured 18,114 tonnes of parboiled and 35,954 tonnes of Atap rice from all the four districts-Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar.
Tk 37 per kg was paid for Atap and Tk 38 for parboiled rice.

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