Dhaka: Food Minister Quamrul Islam on Monday said stern action will be taken against those to be found involved in irregularities in rice and paddy procurement during this Boro season.

The Food Minister came up with the warning at a press briefing at Khadya Bhaban.

Quamrul said the government will purchase rice and paddy this year directly from farmers through maintaining transparency and accountability. ‘This initiative has been taken to motivate farmers,’ he said.

This year, he said, the government will procure 7 lakh mts of paddy at Tk 23 per kg while 6 lakh mts of rice at Tk 32 per kg from May 5 to August 31.

Quamrul said the authorities concerned will purchase the rice and paddy following the list of farmers provided by the Agriculture Ministry.

Besides, necessary steps will be taken so that middlemen cannot discourage the farmers during the procurement.

Issuing a warning, the minister said legal action will be taken against the government officials if they are found involved in irregularities at the field level during the rice and paddy procurement.

Besides, the minister said, the government will clear payments through account pay cheques to the farmers.

Meanwhile, the government has procured 2,974 metric tonnes of wheat since the drive began on April 10.