The Ministry of Relief and Disaster Management for the second time has sought Tk 875 crore to buy 200,000 metric tonnes of gratuitous relief for the people hit by Covid-19 pandemic and super cyclone Amphan.
The finance division has failed to complete two ministries budget due to the import of rice from aboard to meet the huge demand for food aid.
An official of finance division said, “We have yet to close next fiscal year’s budgeting process due to continuous demand for relief items specially rice and wheat for poor section of the people during Covid-19 pandemic situation.”
Finance minister will present the next fiscal year budget at the national parliament on 11 June.
Director General of the Disaster Management Directorate Muhammad Moshin said, “The relief and disaster management ministry sought the proposal of procurement of 200,000 metric tonnes of rice many days ago.”
Finance ministry AHM Mustafa Kamal agreed to provide funds to procure rice under gratuitous relief funds during coronavirus pandemic, he said.
DG of disaster management also said the Directorate of Disaster Management will distribute rice among marginalized people in remote areas across the country.
We will disburse funds within a short time, he said.
Earlier, the government imported 200,000 metric tonnes of rice to meet the relief demand of the people during coronavirus pandemic.
In this fiscal year ministry of disaster and relief management allocated 1,50,000 metric tonnes of rice in the budget.
Two weeks ago, the finance division disbursed Tk 875 crore to procure 200,000 metric tonnes of rice to sell for Tk 10 per kg among poor people.
ask/wi
