No room for rice shortage - Trade Minister
by Uditha KUMARASINGHE
The Government yesterday assured that there is no rice shortage in
the market and that this is just an unsuccessful move by certain traders
to create an artificial rice shortage in the market during the election
period.
Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services
Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Observer that 1,000
containers of white rice are scheduled to arrive at Colombo Port this
week. Therefore no rice shortage will be created in the local market as
indicated by certain traders and rice mill owners.
The Minister said any trader can purchase a kilo of white rice at Rs.
51 wholesale price (bulk price) from the Pettah market. At present a
kilo of white rice is sold between Rs. 57.50 and Rs. 60.00 in CWE and
Laksathosa outlets.
A newspaper advertisement will also be published to make rice sellers
aware that a kilo of white rice is sold at the Pettah market at Rs. 51.
Minister Gunawardena said this is only a campaign launched to gain
political mileage. Enough rice stocks are available to be distributed
throughout the country.
When 1,000 containers of white rice arrive, there will be no room for
shortage of rice stocks within the market.
“When rice is available without any shortage, there is no use of
keeping rice stocks. Therefore no trader or rice mill owner will keep
rice stocks,” he said. The Government had to import rice due to the
delay in reaping of the forthcoming harvesting season.
Permission has been granted to the private sector to import rice.
Steps have been taken to reduce the Customs duty up to one rupee per
kilo of imported rice. Arrangements have also been made to import rice
from Pakistan and Vietnam, he said.
Essential Food Commodities Importers and Trades Association Secretary
G. Nathan said there is no rice shortage in the Pettah market.
There are enough white rice stocks in Pettah.
He said the Government is also negotiating with the Indian Government
to import Ponni Rice from India.
|
