1,800 fishermen get special VGF rice in Rajshahi

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BSS, Rajshahi :
A total of 1,800 fishermen families were brought under special VGF programme as they remained abstained from fishing Hilsha fish along the bank of the river Padma in different upazilas in the district.
Beneficiary families are getting 20 kilograms of rice during the mother hilsha fish conservation period from October 7 to 28.
District Fisheries Officer Shamsul Alam Shah told BSS that the government has taken special initiative to make the drive of conserving mother hilsha fish successful. During the stipulated period, the fishermen families will remain abstained from fishing hilsha fish are being given special VGF food grains.
Under the programme, each of the 1,800 families along the bank of the river is getting 20 kilograms of rice in the district. Of them, 579 families in Godagari Upazila, 493 families in Paba Upazila, 138 families in Rajshahi City Corporation area, 279 families in Charghat Upazila and 311 families in Paba Upazila are getting the support.
Alam Shah said distribution of rice among the families has already been started. On Monday last, rice was distributed among the families of Bagha Upazila. Rice will be distributed among other upazila families in phases.
Besides, drive is continuing in Padma River to conserve hilsha fish in association with RAB, BGB and Police, he added. District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Aminul Haque said 36 metric tons of rice was allocated for the purpose.
Respective union parishads prepared the list of the families in their areas and rice will be distributed with approval of the concerned UNOs, Aminul added.
“We are very much hopeful about successful distribution of the VGF rice on time,” said Alamgir Kabir, ADC (General).
Deputy Commissioner SM Abdul Kader said instructions were given to the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) along with Project Implementation Officers (PIOs) to distribute the rice to the beneficiaries.
“We are very much conscious about the quantity and quality of rice allocated for distribution,” he added.
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