DHAKA: The government decided to import one-tonne `Atop (non-parboiled)’ rice from Vietnam and 30,000 tonnes of `non-Basmati’ boiled rice through international tender under a contingency measure against any food crisis.

“Rice will be bought to meet our demand as the government has not enough stock compared to that of last year,” said Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith to banglanews24.com.bd.  

Besides, 3 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 2 lakh metric tonnes of wheat will be purchased from India. Another two lakh metric tonnes of rice will be procured through international tendering.

The cabinet committee on public purchase took the decision in a meeting Thursday with the Finance Minister in the chair.

Earlier, Food Secretary Barun Deb in a letter latest week informed the cabinet committee about possible food crisis in the lean season ahead.

Sources said the rice will be bought under section 68 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2006 and section 76(2) of the Public Procurement Regulation (PPR) 2008.

BDST: 1842 HRS, AUG 26, 2010