Ilish ban: Govt allots 10,566 tons of rice for fishermen

The government has allocated 10,566.84 tons of VGF rice for fishermen during the upcoming ilish fishing ban from October 14 to November 4.

The food aid is being provided under the government's Humanitarian Food Assistance Programme.

Altogether, 528,342 families in 152 upazilas of 36 districts will get 20kg rice each before the start of the main breeding season of ilish. During this 22-day period, catching, selling, and transporting of ilish is prohibited.

This season, food aid is being provided to an additional 120,263 families.

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The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has given its approval in this regard on Sep 30. 

The deputy commissioners concerned have been directed to complete the distribution of VGF rice by Oct 30.

Instructions have been issued to ensure distribution of VGF rice among registered and actual fishermen who are refraining from catching ilish during the main breeding season.

The 36 districts are – Dhaka, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Narsingdi, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Narayanganj, Jamalpur, Chittagong, Feni, Brahmanbaria, Noakhali, Laxmipur. Chandpur, Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Bagerhat, Kushtia, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Sirajganj, Pabna, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Barisal, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna, and Jhalokati.