RANGPUR, May 1, 2020 (BSS) – The government already distributed 11,244 tonnes of rice and Taka 6.40 crore among 16-lakh jobless and needy families in Rangpur division to assist them in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
“We have already distributed 11.244 tonnes of rice among 10.34-lakh families and Taka 6.40 crore among 5.64-lakh families till Thursday in the division,” Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain told BSS today.
The government has so far allocated 12,816 tonnes of rice and Taka 7.26 crore as special general relief for the jobless and needy people of all eight districts in Rangpur division to stand beside them during the COVID-19 situation.
“As on Friday, the eight district administrations of Rangpur division have stocks of 1,572 tonnes of rice and Taka 86.45-lakh as the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief continues allocating more rice and money frequently,” Hossain said.
The district and upazila administrations with assistance of the union level public representatives are distributing the rice and money under strict monitoring systems in the division.
Talking to BSS, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said distribution of 2,692 tonnes of rice among 1.59-lakh needy families and Taka 1.15 crore among needy families already completed in the district.
“We have a stock of 86 tonnes of rice and Taka 4.88-lakh,” he said, adding that the government is frequently allocating rice and money to bring all jobless and needy people under the social safety networks amid COVID-19 situation.
Kurigram DRRO Dilip Kumar Saha said distribution of 1,509 tonnes of rice among 1.51-lakh jobless and needy families, Taka 97-lakh among 25,333 families and Taka 15-lakh for baby foods completed in all nine upazilas of the district.
“Besides, we have a stock of 41 tonnes of rice and Taka four-lakh for distribution among the needy people amid COVID-19 situation in the district,” he added.
Similarly, distribution of 1,561 tonnes of rice among 1.95-lakh needy families and Taka 80.98-lakh among 1.95-lakh families in Dinajpur and 1.090 tonnes of rice among 1.24-lakh families and Taka 62.13-lakh among 2,431 families in Thakurgaon completed.
The administrations distributed 1,034 tonnes of rice among 1.03-lakh families and Taka 60.59-lakh among 1.03-lakh families in Lalmonirhat and 1,183 tonnes of rice among 1.18-lakh families and Taka 70.25-lakh among 1.19-lakh families in Gaibandha districts.
Besides, distribution of 909 tonnes of rice among 90,900 families and Taka 67.57-lakh among 45,500 families in Nilphamari and 1,266 tonnes of rice among 90,548 families and Taka 85.75-lakh among 71,969 families in Panchagarh completed.
Talking to BSS, Chairman of Chandanpat union parishad in Rangpur Sadar upazila Amenur Rahman said he already completed distribution of eight tonnes of rice allocated by the government among 800 families of his union.
Chairman of Saddyapuskorini union parishad in Rangpur Sadar upazila Alhaj Md. Sohel Rana said he already completed distribution of 14 tonnes of rice allocated by the government among 1,400 families of his union.