As they refused to sign rice supply accord

Sirajganj district controller of food cancelled 79 rice-mill licences as the mills did not sign an agreement with the government to supply rice to the authorities.
Furthermore, the authorities directed the power department to disconnect electricity supply connections to those mills within a week.
Sources said considering the situation, it is apprehended that the rice procurement target in the district may not be achieved this year.
According to them, the department recently started rice procurement drives with a target of 18,272 tonnes from nine upazilas of the district.
Earlier, the department directed 252 mills of the district to sign an agreement to supply rice to the government. At least 171 mills signed the agreement while the rest refused saying that it would not be profitable for them.
The district controller of food issued the punitive orders Tuesday without deciding on two mills that did not agree to sell rice to the government.
Sources said a total of 9,000 tonnes of rice was collected until yesterday. The procurement will continue till August 31.
The mills that lost their licences are, 12 in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, 15 in Kamarkhanda, five in Kazipur, one in Belkuchi, 14 in Ullapara, 18 in Raiganj, 10 in Tarash and four in Shahzadpur upazila.
A number of rice mill owners seeking anonymity told The Daily Star that the prices of rice and husked rice on the market are higher than the government fixed prices.