Play store
The government has launched the six-month Food-Friendly Programme to strengthen food security, stabilise grain prices and ensure food assistance for low-income families, providing subsidised rice to 5.5 million beneficiaries across the country.
The programme, which began on Aug. 1, will continue until April next year. Under the scheme, cardholders in 495 upazilas will receive 30 kilograms of rice every month at a subsidised price of Tk 15 per kilogram.
The information was shared by Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman during the government’s weekly press briefing at the Department of Information on Tuesday. Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and Joint Secretary Dr Md Alam Mostafa were also present.
Officials said fortified rice has been included in the programme to combat malnutrition, particularly among women and children. Around 2.53 million beneficiaries in 248 upazilas are receiving fortified rice, while nearly 2.97 million beneficiaries in 247 upazilas are being provided with regular rice.
Alongside the Food-Friendly Programme, the government is continuing the Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice and flour through 1,108 sales centres, including shops and mobile trucks, across the country.
As of Aug. 2, government food grain stocks stood at 2.349 million metric tonnes, comprising 1.966 million tonnes of rice, 280,010 tonnes of wheat and 152,109 tonnes of paddy, according to the briefing.
The government said it is implementing a range of initiatives to strengthen national food security, reduce malnutrition and improve nutrition among women and children while expanding social safety net programmes for vulnerable groups.
The briefing also highlighted developments in other sectors.
The Power Division said complaints over excessive electricity bills had been addressed through power distribution agencies, adding that consumers with valid complaints would receive appropriate remedies upon submitting supporting evidence.
The Bangladesh Bridge Authority approved a proposal at its 117th board meeting to lease 120 acres of land at the Jamuna Bridge site for the construction of a 55-megawatt solar power plant, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable energy generation.
The government is also planning to extend the railway line from Dhaka to Zakiganj via Sylhet to improve connectivity and support tourism development in Jaflong, Tamabil and surrounding areas.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, import permits issued for green chillies reached 505 by Aug. 3, covering 218,484 metric tonnes, although actual imports stood at 26.5 metric tonnes. For tomatoes, 85 import permits were issued with approval for 60,290 metric tonnes, while actual imports totalled 235.204 metric tonnes.
The weekly briefing also reviewed progress across several ministries and divisions, including labour and employment, expatriate welfare, women and children’s affairs, social welfare, science and technology, youth and sports, and environment, forest and climate change.