The government has allocated 16,752 metric tonnes of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme to assist the families of 2, 99,135 registered fishermen in 67 upazilas of 14 districts and Chattogram city during the 65-day ban on fishing in the Bay. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has allocated the VGF rice, said a press release here on Monday. Each family will get 40 kilograms of rice for May 20 to June 30 in the first phase. Also read: Fishing ban in Meghna: Fisherman killed in clash with police The upazilas include—Batiaghata, Dakope, Paikgachha Koyra, Dumuria, digholia and Rupsha of Khulna district, Mongla, Morelganj and Sharankhola in Bagerhat district, Ashashuni and Shyamnagar in Satkhira upazila, Bashkhali, anwara, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Karnaphuli, Sitakunda, Chattogram city of Chattogram district, Sadar, Chakaria, Maheshkhali, Ukhiya, Pekua, Kutubdia, Teknaf and Ramu upazilas in Cox’s Bazar district, Hatia, Sadar, Subarnachar and Companyganj in Noakhali district, Sonagazi upazila in Feni district, Ramgati, Sadar, Kamalnagar and Raipur upazilas of Laxmipur district, Mehendiganj, Bakerganj, Hizla, Sadar and Ujirpur upazilas in Barishal district, Razapur upazila in Jhalakathi district, Sadar, Patharghata, Amtoli and Taltoli upazilas of Barguna district, Sadar, Mathbaria, bhandaria, Najirpur, Nesarabad, Kaukhali and Indurkani upazilas of Pirojpur district, Sadar, Kalapara, Baufal, Dumki, Mirzaganj, Galachipa, Rangabali and Dashmina of Patuakhali district, Sadar, Borhanuddin, charfashion, Doulatkhan, Lalmohon, Tajumuddin and Manpura upazilas in Bhola district. Also read: 2-month ban on hilsa fishing begins The government is going to impose a 65-day ban from May 20 to July 23 on fishing in the Bay of Bengal in the interest of the national economy, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.

Law enforcement agencies on Friday held a man with 900-kg VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) rice from a warehouse at  Lokra Bazar area in Habiganj Sadar. Besides, 17 empty rice sacks bearing the seal of the food department’s warehouse  were also seized during the raid. The arrestee was identified as Hasan Ali, 45. The seizure was made after a team led by the personnel of  National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Sadar Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdur Rahim raided the warehouse on Friday afternoon, according to police sources. Also read: 1 detained with 89 sacks of VGF rice SI Abdur Rahim of Sadar Police Station confirmed the information to UNB. A case is being filed against the detainee, he added. Also read: 62 sacks of VGF rice seized in Sirajganj

Police in a drive seized 86kg of government rice from a garage at Umardighi bazar in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura on Tuesday.

Two UP chairman and members were suspended on Tuesday on charge of embezzling rice.

The government has again allocated 24,103.04 metric tonnes of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme to assist the  families  of 3, 01,288 registered fishermen in 96 upazilas of 20 districts during the time when catching hilsha fry is prohibited.