RANGPUR, Sept 7, 2020 (BSS) – The government has distributed 20,043 tonnes of rice among around one crore people of over 20.65 lakh jobless families as humanitarian assistance in Rangpur division during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The government distributed the rice as special relief among jobless, poor and distressed families to ensure their food security during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain.
Among the 20.65 lakh beneficiary families, 17.81 lakh families also received both rice and assistance worth Taka 12.32 crore in terms of cash money, pulse, potato, edible oil, fruits, iodized salt, flour, baby foods and other daily essentials.
“The government also distributed 19,005 tonnes of rice among 19 lakh families under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme before the last Eid-ul-Azha festivity alongside other assistance under the social safety net programmes in the division,” Hossain added.
He said the district administrations are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation that continues showing an improving trend in recent weeks in the division where the common people have also resumed their normal activities to earn livelihoods.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said 4,829 tonnes of rice and Taka 2.17 crore were distributed among 4.77 lakh families as humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic in the district.
Chief Executive Officer of Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) Ruhul Amin Miah said distribution of about 1,000 tonnes of rice allocated by the government was completed among 10,000 families in all 33 wards of Rangpur city.
“Besides, the RpCC authority distributed 152 tonnes of rice among 15,200 families of the city from its own resources of RpCC,” he said.
DRRO of Dinajpur Akram Hossain said distribution of 2,801 tonnes of rice and around Taka 1.31 crore among 3.22 lakh families was completed as humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Dinajpur district.
Kurigram DRRO Abdul Hye Sarker said distribution of 2,712 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.78 crore among 2.71 lakh families was completed so far in Kurigram.
DRRO of Thakurgaon Abul Asad Miah said the district administration has distributed 1,982 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.37 crore among 2.47 lakh families in the district.
Gaibandha DRRO Moazzem Hossain said distribution of 2,293 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.60 crore among 2.05 lakh families was completed in the district.
Panchagarh DRRO Mohammad Alauddin said the district administration has distributed 2,100 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.54 crore among 2.10 lakh families in the district.
DRRO of Nilphamari SA Hayat said the district administration has distributed 1,614 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.22 crore among 1.61 lakh families in the district.
Lalmonirhat DRRO Shammi Kaiser said the district administration has distributed 1,713 tonnes of government rice and Taka 1.30 crore among 1.71 lakh families in Lalmonirhat.
Chandanpat union Chairman in Rangpur Amenur Rahman said he distributed 41 tonnes of rice among 4,100 families with 10-kg each during the COVID-19 pandemic in his union where the people have resumed their normal activities now to earn livelihoods.