Online Desk: The government has asked the private sector to import 83,000 tonnes of rice immediately (within a month) aiming to further arrest the rice price hike in the retail  market across the country, said an official order issued by the Ministry of Food here today.

A total of 30 rice importers have already got  the government approval to import the amount of rice which includes 49,000 tonnes of boiled rice and 34,000 tonnes of non-boiled atap rice.

“We have  approved a total of 30 private sector companies to import 49000 tonnes boiled and 34000 tonnes non-boiled atap rice aiming to further arrest of the rice price hike in the retail market,” said M Habibur Rahman Hosaini, Additional Secretary (procurement and supply) of the Food Ministry.

The order was issued on Thursday with a view to covering the gap before the upcoming boro harvest which is likely to require maximum one month, said the official.

The private importers have to market this amount of rice by April 25, according to the official order.

The importing companies have to sell the rice in sacks directly in the market instead of re-packaging of these goods.

The public  sector accumulated food storage stood till Thursday at 14,69,278 tonnes — 11,99,715 tonnes rice, 2, 62,330 tonnes wheat and the rest 10,884 tonnes paddy.