The government has started its initiative to distribute 0.23 million Metric Tons (MTs) of rice at a rate of Tk 10 per kilogram (kg) among extreme poor families in all eight districts of Rajshahi division.
Md Muniruzzaman, regional controller of food in Rajshahi, said on Monday, "We will distribute 0.23 million metric tons of rice through 1,329 dealers under the food friendly programme."
Requisite number of village dealers has already been appointed at all unions of the division to sell the rice, he said.
According to a BSS report, more than 0.77 million extreme poor families in the division have been getting rice at a rate of Tk 10 per kilogram (kg) since Sunday last.
The selected card holders will get 30 kilograms of rice in every month through the village ration dealers under the 'Food Friendly Programme for the Ultra Poor,’ the report said.
The food controller said that the government wants to provide food support to the extreme poor families during the crisis period so that they do not suffer for food crisis.
At the same time, the government's election pledge to decrease rice price at Tk 10 per kg can be fulfilled with the decision, he added.
For every 500 families, a village ration dealer has been appointed for distributing the rice smoothly while the widows and physically challenged people will get priority in the programme.
Muniruzzaman also said the rice selling programme will continue for two months of March to April.
The months have been selected in view of non-availability of work for the day-labourers, he added.
The Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice and flour has also been launched everywhere in the division. Some 108 dealers including 30 in Rajshahi are selling the goods.
He, however, vowed to take punitive measures against those who will engage in any irregularities during the programme.