BANGALDESH is facing a catastrophe over rice supplies. Rice is the staple diet of most Bangladeshis, but this year crops have been damaged by heavy monsoon rain.

The blame lies with the global market for the price increase - India recently raised its price from $425 a tonne to $500 a tonne.

It is being said higher transportation costs have also been blamed for the rise, following a damaging monsoon and the aftermath of November's cyclone.

Many people have been hit hard by spiralling food prices, which in some cases have doubled over the last year.

The Bangladeshi government should introduce food-for-work programmes schemes to feed these people.

COUNCILLOR SALIM MULLA, Town Hall, Blackburn.