The government has started distributing rice under its Food Friendly Programme from August 1 to ensure food security for low-income people and maintain market stability.

A total of 55 lakh card-holding beneficiaries in 495 upazilas will receive 30 kg of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg under the programme for six months—August to November and March to April, according to a PID handout issued on Monday.

To address malnutrition among low-income people, particularly to improve the nutritional status of women and children, the government is currently distributing fortified rice to about 25.29 lakh beneficiaries in 248 upazilas under the programme.

Besides, regular rice is being distributed to 29.71 lakh beneficiaries in 247 upazilas.

Meanwhile, the government continues distributing rice and flour under the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme through 1,108 centres (shops and trucks) across the country.

The country's food stock remains satisfactory, it said.

Food reserves are now at their highest level ever, while foodgrain procurement activities are continuing, it added.

As of August 2, total food stocks stood at 2,349,385 metric tonnes, including 1,966,148 metric tonnes of rice, 280,010 metric tonnes of wheat and 152,109 metric tonnes of paddy.

The government remains committed to ensuring food security, reducing malnutrition and further strengthening social safety net programmes for public welfare.