ZCZC
BSS-02
CORONA-RAJSHAHI-FOOD (with picture)
32.22 lakh households receive govt relief amid Covid-19 in Rajshahi
division
RAJSHAHI, Sept 19, 2020 (BSS) – More than 33.22 lakh families consisting
with around 1.36 crore people hardest hit by the present novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic have, so far, received government’s humanitarian
assistance to overcome their livelihood related hardships in the division.
The government, as part of its continuous humanitarian support to cope with
the present pandemic situation, has distributed 24,219.07 tonnes of rice and
Taka 15.24 crore in cash among the severely affected families.
Moinul Islam, additional commissioner of Rajshahi Division, said each of
21,01,719 recipient families was given 10 kilograms of rice free of cost
while another 11,20,297 families got Taka 1,000 each for purchasing baby food
and necessary essentials in all eight districts of the division till
Thursday.
A total of 890.58 tonnes of rice and over Taka 6.61 lakh in cash are in
stock at present for distribution, he said.
Apart from this, around 20.18 lakh distressed and vulnerable families have
bought rice at reduced price through Open Market Sale (OMS) to mitigate their
crisis caused by the pandemic.
The Department of Food has distributed 10,087.99 tonnes of rice at Taka 10
per kilogram under the government’s OMS programme through 158 appointed
dealers till June 30 last.
Regional Controller of Food Raihanul Kabir said the OMS programme had been
conducted in city, district headquarters, pourasabha and union levels since
April 5 so that people can get rice at a cheap price.
To alleviate the present pandemic situation, the food department has sold
684.07 tonnes of rice at Taka 30 per kilogram till Thursday since July 12,
while around 3,100.83 tonnes of flour at Taka 18 per kilogram under the OMS
programme in the division since July 1 last.
Apart from this, 4,500 tonnes of rice are also being distributed among the
needy families under the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme. Each
of 1.5 lakh beneficiary families is getting 30 kilograms of rice every month
free of cost.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has distributed foodstuffs among
around 1,500 distressed COVID-19 infected patients in its areas.
All the families of the patients will get the food support at their
respective doorsteps in phases, RCC sources said.
A total of 3,544 people have tested positive for COVID-19 with 23
fatalities in Rajshahi city areas till Thursday.
The RCC has also dispensed 1,394.85 tonnes of rice, Taka 48.12 lakh in cash
and 145 cartons of baby food among the badly virus affected families as part
of the government aid to handle the present troubled situation.
Besides, it has distributed 239.80 tonnes of rice among 31,324 people of
157 organisations as the gift of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and as a part
of the government’s instant humanitarian support to lessen their livelihood
related hardship.
BSS/AH/SSS/1129 hrs