Jashore: The Food Ministry is poised to revoke the licences of 62 rice mills in Jashore district due to their failure to supply rice to the government's food storehouse. This action comes in the wake of a letter issued by the ministry on March 20, which demanded a response from the mills regarding their inability to deliver the specified food grain.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Jashore District Food Controller Sefaur Rahman confirmed that the letter directed action against the aforementioned rice mills under provisions 7 and 8 of the 'Essential Food Grains Collection, Management and Control Order, 2022'. The mills in question are distributed across various upazilas, including 15 in Sadar Upazila, 13 in Monirampur, 8 in Keshabpur, 4 in Abhaynagar, 2 in Jhikargacha, 5 in Sharsha, 2 in Bagherpara, and 13 in Chaugachha.
Sefaur Rahman stated that show-cause notices had been issued to the owners of the concerned rice mills in accordance with the specified provisions. While responses have been received for most notices, some are still pending at the upazila level. The food controller noted that the replies from most mills were unsatisfactory, making it almost certain that the licences of the majority of these 62 rice mills will be cancelled.
A final decision regarding the cancellation of licences is expected to be made within the week after all responses have been thoroughly reviewed.