Indian Rice to Be Imported via Singapore, Says Government

The government has decided to import rice from India through a Singaporean supplier in order to keep the market “stable,” said Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.

He provided this information while talking to journalists on Monday after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchases at the Secretariat.

He said, “The price of rice has somewhat stabilized, and is rising again. Therefore, to ensure that the price of rice does not rise under any circumstances, we will again bring in non-Basmati rice.”

When asked from which country the rice would come, the adviser said, “The non-Basmati rice will come from India. The price is competitive. But the supplier is from Singapore.

“Because we won’t say that you cannot bring it from India, or that you cannot bring it from Thailand or Myanmar. We have considered the quality, timely supply, and the price.”

He further stated that the government wants to complete the revised budget by December.

Regarding the additional costs due to the referendum and the thirteenth national election being held on the same day, the adviser said, “We have said that expenditures for the election and referendum will increase. You will need manpower there, right? Security will be needed.

“We are now reviewing the budget anew. But the election budget is still open. We have given other ministries a deadline, asking them to report within a certain date. Because in December we will review the budget again.”

According to him, “In January we will keep everything ready for the next government that will come in. So the election budget is open.

“I think after the announcement of the election schedule, they probably will not propose any new expenditures. There could be contingency expenses, right? There could be emergency expenses. That can be done; they also have some funds. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the election.”

The adviser acknowledged that holding the referendum and the election on the same day is a “challenge,” but he supports conducting both on the same day.

He said, “I think although this is a challenge, we must accept this challenge—doing it on the same day, right? This is the decision we have made from the government. The Chief Adviser has instructed that it be done on the same day.

“Because holding it on two days means the entire system—mobilizing returning officers, you know it is not an easy task. Even some bank officers, junior officers, they also go on duty, school teachers go. Bringing them for two separate days—this is difficult.”

Highlighting that many countries do it the same way, he said, “In many countries around the world, this is how it is done, right? Your referendum and vote are held on the same day in many countries. There is no reason for any difficulty.

“Logistically, I think doing it at once is better and it can be conducted smoothly and properly.”

The meeting also made decisions on purchasing fertilizer, refined oil, and constructing three roads.