Govt to procure rice at previously fixed rates: Food minister

Food minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday said that the government would procure rice or paddy at the rates it announced earlier and the prices would not be hiked, reports news agency UNB.

The minister said this at a meeting through video conference with Barishal division officials in the morning.

Farmers are getting proper price due to bumper yield of Boro crops under the monitoring and direction of the government, he said, adding: “Procurement should be sped up to maintain the market price.”

Legal action will be taken against any kind of irregularities in procuring the rice and paddy, he warned.

Requesting mill owners, Majumder said it is time to help people during the novel coronavirus and step forward with a mentality to serve.

This year’s procurement must be farmer-friendly and zero tolerance will be shown over the standard, the minister said, adding that no farmer should sell their production to middle-men or syndicates.

Directorate general of Food, Additional Directorate General, Barishal division commissioner, regional food controller and deputy commissioners of Barishal, Pirojpur, Barguna, Jhalakathi, Bhola and Patuakhali were present at the meeting.