Tariff on rice imports has been reduced by more than half: It has to be paid 25%.

[caption id="attachment_6088" align="aligncenter" width="1014"] File Photo[/caption] Rice import duty has been reduced by more than half. Even though 62.5% duty has to be paid on rice import for so long, now it has to be paid 25%. The tariff rate is reduced to 37.5%. Importers can apply to the ministry by January 10 to import rice at the new tariff rate. This information was given by the Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Sunday (December 27, 2020). The press conference was called to keep the rice market stable. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder told a press conference that a decision has been taken to import rice privately. Earlier, the duty on rice import was 62.5%. Now 25 percent has been done. However, care should be taken so that the farmers are not harmed. "The government does not bow to anyone's threat," he said. We did not push for Miller's contract. Let them take their threats. If necessary, we will buy more paddy from the farmers. If needed, we will buy 15 to 20 lakh tons of rice. ' Stating that the purchase of paddy from farmers has started, the food minister said, "The government-fixed price is Tk 1,040 per maund (equal to about 82 pounds or 37 kg)." Even today, paddy is being sold outside at a price of Tk 1,200 per maund. When the price of paddy goes down, we cry for the farmers. We cry even if the price of rice goes up again. ' At the press conference, Food Secretary Moshammat Nazmanara Khanum said, "It will be decided who will be able to import rice from the 25 per cent tariff that we have privately allowed." But more cannot be imported. That will deprive the farmers again. ' Although the second major season of rice, Aman paddy, has gone up, the price has not gone down, on the contrary, it has gone up. Last Wednesday, the government signed an agreement with India to import 1.5 lakh tonnes of rice. The price of Indian rice will be 33 to 35 rupees per kg. The official emphasis on rice imports is due to the fact that stocks of rice in the Food Department's warehouses have dropped by almost half compared to last year. In terms of quantity which is 5 lakh tons. Meanwhile, the owners of the rice mills have threatened to increase the price from Tk 37 to Tk 41 per kg if they do not agree to give the new aman rice to the government. Source: Online/SZK