RANGPUR, April 29, 2020 (BSS) – More than 13.53 lakh jobless and needy families have already received special government relief in terms of rice and money in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Rangpur division.
Officials said the government started distributing rice and money under a special relief programme last month to assist the jobless and needy people in tackling the situation caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The government has already allocated over 10,313 tonnes of rice and Taka 4.92 crore in cash for distribution among the jobless, distressed, backward and needy people of all eight districts in Rangpur division under the present situation.
“Distribution of 8.497 tonnes of rice among 8.44-lakh families and Taka 3.60 crore among 5.09-lakh families of the division already completed by Tuesday,” said Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain.
As on today, the eight district administrations have stocks of 1,816 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.32 crore as the government continues allocating more rice and money frequently to stand beside the jobless and needy people of the division.
“Distribution of more rice and money along with other foodstuffs still continues in full swing across Rangpur division to assist the jobless and needy people in tackling the unprecedented situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak,” Hossain said.
The district and upazila administrations with assistance of local public representatives are distributing the rice and money under strict monitoring systems maintaining physical distance to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said the government has allocated 2,778 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.20 crore for distribution among the jobless and needy families of the district.
“We have already distributed 2,405 tonnes of rice and Taka 97.48-lakh among 1.45-lakh jobless and needy families of all eight upazilas, Rangpur City Corporation and three municipalities of the district,” he said.
Kurigram DRRO Dilip Kumar Saha said the government has already allocated 1,550 tonnes of rice, Taka 1.01-crore general relief cash and Taka 15 lakh for baby foodstuffs for the district.
“We have already distributed 1,270 tonnes of rice and Taka 74.85-lakh among a total of 1.21-lakh jobless and destitute families and baby foodstuffs worth over Taka 12-lakh in all nine upazilas of the district,” he said.
The district administrations have already completed distribution of 1,561 tonnes of rice and Taka 80.98-lakh among 3.35-lakh families in Dinajpur and 1,090 tonnes of rice and Taka 57.63-lakh among over 1.12 families in Thakurgaon districts.
The district administrations have distributed 1,033 tonnes of rice and Taka 60.59-lakh among 2.06-lakh 91,281 families in Lalmonirhat and 1,083 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.62 crore among 1.85-lakh families in Gaibandha districts.
Similarly, the district administrations have also completed distribution of 905 tonnes of rice Taka 61.33-lakh among 91,194 families in Nilphamari and 875 tonnes of rice and Taka 52.39-lakh among a total of 1.56-lakh families in Panchagarh districts.
In addition to the massive government efforts, the Armed Forces, police, RAB-13, trade bodies and affluent people are distributing foodstuffs among the jobless people to assist them in facing the situation caused by COVID-19 outbreak in Rangpur division.