2024-09-19 10:32:04
Published: 18:15, 18 September 2024 Updated: 18:24, 18 September 2024
The Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs has given in-principle approval to the proposal to set a deadline of 15 days for the import of rice and wheat through international tenders to ensure food security. Earlier this period was 42 days. That is, there was an obligation to supply rice or wheat within 42 days from the date of publication of the tender advertisement. That time has been reduced to 15 days.
On Wednesday (September 18) afternoon, the proposals were approved in the meeting of the committee under the chairmanship of Finance and Trade Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed in the meeting room of the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. Committee members and senior officers were present in the meeting.
According to the sources of the meeting, in-principle approval has been given for the purchase of rice on GTUG basis and the proposal to reduce the time in the procurement process of international tenders as per Rule 83 of PPR 2008. Rice must be imported on G2G basis and through international open tenders in order to keep the food security chain intact along with keeping the government distribution system operational. In such a situation, in case of state emergency, in accordance with Section 68(1) of PPA 2006 and Rule 76(2) of PPR, 2008, purchase of maximum 3 lakh metric tons of rice from the exporting country on G2G basis at the time of need and maximum 2 lakh metric tons of rice at the time of need through international open tender. As per rule 83 (1) (a) of PPR 2008 for the purpose of import, the committee approved the proposal to fix the deadline for submission of tenders from the date of publication of the newspaper advertisement to 15 days instead of 42 days.
In 2024-2025 financial year, the target of procurement of 3.5 million metric tons from international sources and 19.23 million metric tons from domestic sources has been set.
In the meeting, the committee gave principled approval for the purchase of wheat on GTUG basis and the proposal to reduce the time in the procurement process in international tenders according to Rule 83 of PPR 2008. In order to keep the government distribution system operational, it is necessary to import wheat on GTUG basis and through international open tenders. In this situation, in accordance with Section 68(1) of PPA 2006 and Rule 76(2) of PPR, 2008, PPR 2008 aims to purchase 4 lakh metric tons of wheat from exporting countries on G2G basis and import 4 lakh metric tons of wheat through international open tender. As per Rule 83 (1) (a), the Committee gave in-principle approval to the proposal to fix the time limit for submission of tenders as 15 days instead of 42 days from the date of publication of the newspaper advertisement.
In 2024-2025 fiscal year, the target of procurement of 7 lakh metric tons from international sources and 10 thousand metric tons from domestic sources has been set.
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