Five million ultra poor to get rice at Tk10

The government will bring down the price of rice at Tk 10 per kilogram for ultra-poor people from next month.

Five million ultra-poor families across the country will get rice at Tk 10 per kilogram this year under 'Food-Friendly Programme', according to UNB.

Food Minister Quamrul Islam, talking to reporters atDirectorate of Food, said in one month each family will be able to buy a total of 30 kg rice at Tk10 per kg.

The project will be conducted in two phases - in the months of March, April and September, October, November, he said.

"The government had decided to buy 600,000 metric tonnes of rice in the Aman season, out of which it has already collected 540,000 MT and the remaining amount will be collected in time as well," he added.

"Now we have 14,20,000 metric tonne (1.42 million) of food grain in reserve including 10,40,000 metric tonne (1.04 million) of rice," Quamrul said.

Director General of Food Directorate Badrul Hasan and other senior officials were also present there.