16.79 lakh tonnes stocked food grains in govt warehouses: food minister

The Food Minister told parliament today that the country‍‍`s current food stock is sufficient.

"As of February 20, the total stock of food grains in the government warehouses is 16.79 lakh tonnes. Of the total food grains, 14.38 lakh tonnes are rice and 2.41 lakh are wheat," the minister said in reply to a query of ruling Awami League MP Anwarul Azim (Anar) from Jhenaidah-4.

Meanwhile, Shofiqur Rahman Chowdhury, State Minister for Expatriates‍‍` Welfare and Overseas Employment, told Parliament today that people‍‍`s ability to buy has improved, despite a modest increase in the price of local products.

The state minister said on behalf of State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Tito, who was not present at today‍‍`s House session.

In response to a question from Opposition Chief Whip and Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Shofiqur Rahman said the government is committed to bringing the cost of everyday essentials within the purchasing capacity of the common people.

"For that purpose, the government is constantly working relentlessly," he said.

In response to a written question, the state minister for commerce informed the House that in the fiscal year 2022-23, the biggest trade deficit was with China, totaling USD 15,488.84 million.

The trade deficit with India was USD 7,160.81 million, USD 466.33 million with Pakistan, USD 116.21 million with Myanmar, USD 14.29 million with Bhutan, and USD 1.49 million with Afghanistan, according to the state minister.

He, however, said that Bangladesh has no trade deficit
 with Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.