Govt to import 50,000 tonnes rice from India
Monday, 6 August 2007
The government has approved import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from India for maintaining supply to keep pace with the demand in the country, reports UNB.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Advisers' Committee on Public Purchase held at the Cabinet Division Sunday with Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam in the chair.
After the meeting, the finance adviser told the newsmen that the committee also gave approval to import 187,500 tonnes of urea fertiliser, appoint a foreign consultant for Siddhirganj power plant and purchase the aircraft for Biman, which is already in operation under a lease agreement.
Asked why the government plans to import rice costing Tk 24 per kg when it is now selling locally at Tk 22 per kg, he said procurement from within would not help to increase supply of rice in the country.
"If we procure rice from outside it will help to increase supply."
Replying to a question as to why the government wants to buy an old aircraft for the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the finance adviser said: "We will check all certificates and see to it that the aircraft will fly smoothly for next five years."
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Advisers' Committee on Public Purchase held at the Cabinet Division Sunday with Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam in the chair.
After the meeting, the finance adviser told the newsmen that the committee also gave approval to import 187,500 tonnes of urea fertiliser, appoint a foreign consultant for Siddhirganj power plant and purchase the aircraft for Biman, which is already in operation under a lease agreement.
Asked why the government plans to import rice costing Tk 24 per kg when it is now selling locally at Tk 22 per kg, he said procurement from within would not help to increase supply of rice in the country.
"If we procure rice from outside it will help to increase supply."
Replying to a question as to why the government wants to buy an old aircraft for the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the finance adviser said: "We will check all certificates and see to it that the aircraft will fly smoothly for next five years."