PM: No food crisis in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that there is no food crisis now in the country as adequate food grains are there remain in government godowns or warehouses and the houses of farmers. 

Noting that it had a bumper yield of Aman crops in the season, she said it is expected that there’ll also be a bumper production of Boro paddy in the ongoing season. 

Special measures have been taken to maintain the supply and distribution of foods and agricultural products, Hasina said while addressing the nation on Monday evening, ahead of Pohela Boishakh 1427, reports UNB. 

State-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television simultaneously broadcast the prime minister’s address. Private television channels and radio stations also aired the speech. 

She said many philanthropist individuals and organisations have come up with relief materials for the poor during this crisis. In a bid to ensure the order, these relief materials and assistance need to be distributed through local government bodies and law enforcement agencies, no separate disbursement, she said. 

She urged the rich to continue to provide their assistance for the poor. 

Hasina said the government keeps its eyes on the situation and takes measures timely whatever necessary to check the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The government had declared a nationwide general holiday from March 26 till April 4, which was later extended till April 14. On April 10, the general holiday was again extended till April 25, as the deadly novel coronavirus kept spreading more and kept infecting more people.

In absence of work due to the soft shutdown, the destitute people across the country started facing hardship worse than usual, leading many government and non-government organizations to come forward and distribute relief materials.

Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Railway, Dhaka University, and many other government and non-government organizations have donated varying amounts to the prime minister's relief fund.

With five new deaths reported on Monday, the total number of deaths in the country from Covid-19 has now reached 39.

The country also saw a sharp rise in infections as 182 new cases were recorded the same day, taking the total number of infected to 803.