BSS :
The government has allocated a total of 11,119 tonnes of VGF rice for fishermen during the upcoming hilsa fishing ban from October 4 to 25.
The food aid is being provided under the government’s Humanitarian Food Assistance Programme, said a handout.
Altogether, 555,944 families in 151 upazilas of 37 districts will get 20 kg rice each before the start of the main breeding season of hilsa. During this 22-day period, catching, selling and transporting of hilsa is prohibited.
This season, food aid is being provided to an additional 27,602 families.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has given the allocation in favour deputy commissioners concerned who have been directed to withdraw and complete the distribution of VGF rice by October 25.
Instructions have been issued to ensure distribution of VGF rice among registered and actual fishermen who are refraining from catching hilsa during the main breeding season.
