Action against officials failing Aman rice collection targets

Administrative action will be taken against officials who fail to meet rice collection targets during the current Aman season. This directive was issued in a letter recently sent by the Directorate of Food to regional food controllers.

The letter stated that the target for rice collection this Aman season is set at 550,000 tons of boiled rice and 100,000 tons of atap rice. As of February 16, a total of 387,000 tons of boiled rice and 71,965 tons of atap rice have been collected nationwide, falling short of the target. Action will be taken against millers who fail to supply rice on time, as per the Essential Food Grains Procurement Management Control Order. 

To ensure the success of the Aman collection campaign, the letter urges all district food controllers, upazila food controllers, technical food inspectors, and acting officials to follow the guidelines. It further emphasizes that if the rice collection target is not met, administrative measures will be taken against the concerned officials.

A significant portion of the government's stock comes from purchasing rice and paddy from the domestic market. Boiled rice collection began on November 17 last year and will continue until February 28, while atap rice collection will be completed by March 10.

The government is purchasing boiled rice at Tk 47 per kg, paddy at Tk 33 per kg, and unhusked rice at Tk 46 per kg. However, due to higher market prices, the government has been unable to meet the desired purchase levels.

The Directorate of Food has previously sent letters to field-level food officials to take action against mills that have failed to supply rice either without a contract or after entering into an agreement.