RANGPUR, June 29, 2020 (BSS) – More than 19.29 lakh jobless, distressed and
needy families are getting the government’s special relief assistance in
Rangpur division in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Officials said the government has already allocated 23,072 tonnes of rice and
Taka 14.08 crore for distribution among the jobless families to stand beside
them and ensure food for all during the COVID-19 pandemic in all eight
districts of the division.
“A total of 19,784 tonnes of rice have already been distributed among the
19.29 lakh families benefitting around 82 lakh jobless and needy people,”
Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain told BSS
today.
Among the 19.29 lakh beneficiary families, 16.42 lakh families got both rice
and assistance worth Taka 12 crore in terms of cash money, pulse, potato,
edible oil, fruits, iodized salt, flour, baby foods and
other daily essentials.
“Currently, the district administrations have stocks of 3,238 tonnes of rice
and Taka 2.08 crore for distribution as a gift from Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina till the COVID-19 situation becomes normal,” Zakir Hossain added.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said
distribution of 4,829 tonnes of rice and Taka 2.20 crore among around 3.64
lakh families was completed across the district.
Chief Executive Officer of Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) Ruhul Amin Miah
said distribution of about 700 tonnes of rice out of the total allocated
1,000 tonnes by the government was completed among 7,000 families in all 33
wards of the city.
“Besides, the RpCC has distributed 152 tonnes of rice among 15,200 families
of the city from its own resources of RpCC,” he said, adding that
distribution of 300 tonnes of government rice continues.
“We are also reaching foodstuffs, Vitamin C enriched fruits and health
protection materials to the isolated COVID-19 infected people at their
doorsteps across the city,” Miah said.
According to officials concerned, distribution of 2,800 tonnes of rice and
around Taka 1.30 crore among 3.20 lakh families in Dinajpur and 1,971 tonnes
of rice and Taka 1.30 crore among 2.34 lakh families in
Thakurgaon districts was completed.
Distribution of 1,658 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.20 crore among 1.65 lakh
families in Lalmonirhat and 2,123 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.49 crore among
2.05 lakh families in Gaibandha districts was completed.
Distribution of 2,712 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.78 crore among 2.72 lakh
families in Kurigram, 1,614 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.22 crore among 1.61
lakh families in Nilphamari and 2,100 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.54 crore
among 2.08 lakh families in Panchagarh was completed.
Talking to BSS, Chairman of Nohali union in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur
Abul Kalam Azad Titul said he already distributed 39 tonnes of rice among
3,900 jobless, river-eroded distressed and needy families of the union.
Chairman of Chandanpat union in Rangpur Sadar upazila Amenur Rahman said he
distributed 31 tonnes of rice among 3,100 families of his union with 10-kg
each so far amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman of Banglabandha union in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh Md. Kudrat-
e-Khuda Milan said he distributed 33 tonnes of government rice among 3,300
families of his union.