By IANS
Dhaka : Thwarted by rising prices in the international food market and logistic problems caused by the recent floods, the Bangladesh government has entrusted import and distribution of food grains to its border guards.
This is the first commercial venture for the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). The army has similar agencies that carry out non-military economic activities.
Security analysts, however, said the move is a ploy through which military and paramilitary forces are kept happy and away from the temptation of seeking direct power.
Top BDR officials said they had already contacted suppliers of rice and wheat in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Russia, Ukraine and the US and received assurance of getting the required quantity of food grains.
Poor response from bidders had in July prevented the much-needed import of 450,000 MT of rice and 350,000 MT of wheat.
Rifles International Ltd, a commercial entity under the BDR will import 300,000 MT of rice and 200,000 MT of wheat to avert the hassles of the public procurement regulations like mandatory requirements of performance guarantee, tender procedures and maintaining the timeframe, New Age newspaper said.
The paramilitary force has already sought a fund of around Taka 12 billion ($20 million) from the finance ministry to import the items directly at the earliest.
The BDR will also distribute the food grains through its network across the country.