55 lakh families to get 30kg rice at Tk 15/kg from today

Under the government's food-friendly programme aimed at ensuring food security for low-income people, rice distribution at Tk 15 per kg has begun. Through the programme, which started on August 1, 55 lakh cardholder families in 495 upazilas across the country are receiving 30 kg of rice per month.

The Ministry of Food confirmed this in a notification on Monday (August 3). The notification said beneficiaries will receive this benefit for a total of six months per year, specifically August, September, October, November, and March and April of the following year. Each family will be able to collect 30 kg of rice per month.

The ministry said that to eradicate malnutrition among the poor population and improve nutritional standards, particularly for women and children, fortified rice is being distributed to approximately 25.29 lakh beneficiaries in 248 upazilas under the programme. Additionally, regular rice is being distributed to 29.71 lakh beneficiaries in 247 upazilas.

Furthermore, regular rice and flour sales continue under the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme through 1,108 centres (shops and trucks) across the country, allowing the general public to purchase food grains at affordable prices.

According to the Ministry of Food, the country's government food stock is currently at its highest level compared to any time in the past. At the same time, domestic food grain collection activities are ongoing. As of August 2, total food grain stock in government warehouses stood at 23,49,385 metric tons. Of this, rice stock was 19,66,148 metric tons, wheat 2,80,010 metric tons, and paddy (converted to rice equivalent) 1,52,109 metric tons.

The Ministry of Food said the government is committed to ensuring food security, reducing malnutrition, and making social safety net programmes more effective and expansive. The food-friendly programme and OMS activities are being conducted regularly to achieve this goal.