Government to buy 10,000 tonnes each of sugar and lentils for its stocks

The government will buy 10,000 tonnes of sugar and 10,000 tonnes of red lentils to build up its stocks, at a total cost of Tk 180.72 crore. The cabinet committee on government purchase, chaired by finance minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, approved the two proposals on Thursday, 12 November.

Under the commerce ministry's proposal, the sugar will cost Tk 103.95 crore, or Tk 103.95 a kilogram including VAT and tax, delivered in 50-kilogram sacks. Meghna Sugar Refinery Limited, which sells under the Fresh brand, was recommended as the lowest bidder.

The lentils will cost Tk 76.77 crore, or Tk 76.77 a kilogram including VAT and tax, also in 50-kilogram sacks. The recommended supplier is Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Limited.

Both purchases are being made from local companies through open national tenders on the government's e-GP system.

Banglanews24 reports that the purchases are meant to raise the government's stocks of the two staples. Together they will cost Tk 180.72 crore: Tk 103.95 crore for the sugar and Tk 76.77 crore for the lentils. The report is by Banglanews24's senior correspondent.

Source: Banglanews24