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BSS-01
RELIEF-JOBLESS-RANGPUR (with picture)
72.80 lakh people get govt relief in Rangpur division
RANGPUR, May 13, 2020 (BSS) – More than 72.80 lakh people of 16.13 lakh jobless and needy families are getting special relief assistance from the government in Rangpur division in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Officials said the government has so far allocated 16,765 tonnes of rice and Taka 10 crore as special relief assistance for distribution among the jobless, distressed and needy people of all eight districts in Rangpur division to stand beside them.
The district administrations have already distributed 14,020 tonnes of rice among 60 lakh people of 13.28 lakh jobless families and Taka 8.34 crore among 12.80 lakh people of 2.85 lakh distressed families in the division.
“Currently, the eight district administrations have 2,745 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.67 crore in stocks,” Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain told the national news agency.
To ensure smooth distribution of the relief, the administrations with assistance of local public representatives are managing the whole process maintaining physical distancing under strict monitoring systems to face the COVID-19 situation.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said distribution of 3,138 tonnes of rice among 2.03 lakh families and Taka 1.39 crore among the needy families completed in the district by Tuesday.
“We have a stock of 640 tonnes of rice and Taka 32.28 lakh,” he said, adding that the government is frequently allocating rice and money to bring all needy people under the special social safety-net programme during the current coronavirus situation.
Kurigram DRRO Dilip Kumar Saha said distribution of 1,832 tonnes of rice among 1.83 lakh jobless and needy families and over Taka 1.19 crore among 39,271 families and Taka 27 lakh among 8,438 families for baby foods completed in the district.
“Besides, we have a stock of 318 tonnes of rice and Taka 25.50 lakh for distribution among the needy people amid COVID-19 situation in the district,” Saha added.
Similarly, 2.30-lakh needy families already received 1,903 tonnes of rice and 1,400 families got Taka 1.08 crore in Dinajpur and 1.72 lakh families got 1,265 tonnes of rice among and 10,000 families got Taka 72.13 lakh in Thakurgaon districts.
Around 1.50 lakh jobless and needy families already got 1,499 tonnes of rice and 10,000 families received Taka 91.76 lakh in Lalmonirhat and 1.48 lakh families got 1,483 tonnes of rice and 10,000 families Taka 96.15 lakh in Gaibandha districts.
Besides, 1.23 lakh families received 1,234 tonnes of rice and 1.27 lakh families got Taka 88.94 lakh in Nilphamari and 1.17 lakh families got 1,666 tonnes of rice and 87,348 families got Taka 1.18 crore in Panchagarh districts.
Talking to BSS, Chairman of Chandanpat union in Rangpur Sadar upazila Amenur Rahman said he completed distribution of 19 tonnes of government rice among 1,900 jobless and needy families with 10-kg each in three phases by last Saturday.
Chairman of Saddyapuskorini union in Rangpur Sadar upazila Alhaj Md. Sohel Rana said he distributed 16 tonnes of government rice among 1,600 jobless families in three phases in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak by Saturday last.
BSS/SPL/MI/MMA/0900HRS