The interim government is set to import seven lakh tonnes of rice, the highest in the last seven fiscal years, as it looks to shore up its depleting food grain stock and ease the cost of living crisis for the low- and fixed-income people battered by the prolonged high inflation.

The prices of almost all varieties of rice have been increasing over the past three weeks, despite the withdrawal of import duties and the inflow of rice imports.

In the wholesale market, the price of rice has come down by Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kg, but remained unchanged in the retail market.