Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has termed as fabricated the media reports regarding India’s ban on the export of rice to Bangladesh. He was responding to lawmaker Nurul Islam Milon in a question-answer session at the parliament on Thursday.
“Our production of crops suffered a shortage because of floods in Haor basins and other parts of the country. However, we are ready to meet the demand by importing rice,” the minister said.
“We have no rice shortage. The existing reserves are enough to meet the demand, and its supply in the market is adequate,” he said.
On India’s reported ban on the rice exports, Tofail said: “Several supply chains are trying to create an artificial rice crisis by spreading falsehoods. They circulated a forged circular, which does not have any signature from Indian government officials, which said that the country has halted rice exports to Bangladesh."
“I have contacted the acting High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Adarsh Swaika and also spoke to our High Commissioner in Delhi regarding the matter. They have confirmed that India neither stopped rice export to Bangladesh nor did the country take any decision regarding it," he said.
The minister added: “Vested quarters are spreading such propaganda in an attempt to destabilise the rice market. It is entirely fabricated news.”
Requesting the media to be more responsible for the sake of public interest, Tofail further said: “Journalists are our friends, and we have no enmity towards them.”
He also confirmed that the government has taken necessary steps to keep the supply of rice smooth and the prices stable.
Leave a Comment