DHAKA,  – The government has allocated over 9,474.62 tonnes of rice under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme for the fishermen during the fishing restrictions period as it imposed fishing ban this year in the sea for 65 days from May 20 to July 23.

“The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) has allocated the food crops for the registered fishermen who were refrain from catching fish during the government fishing restrictions period,” said an official release here today.

The ministry has issued these VGF food under two grant orders to the district administrations on Tuesday. The food allocations were distributed among 2,99,135 fishermen families in two phases locating at 67 upazilas of 14 districts including the Chattogram city.

In the second phase, some 9,474.62 tonnes rice will be distributed among the registered fishermen families –where each fisherman will get 30 kg rice for 23 days from July 1 to July 23 period.

Earlier, in first phases, the government distributed 8,974.05 tonnes rice where each fishermen family got 40 kg rice for 42 days from May 20 to June 30, this year.

Besides, the government also has allocated over 500 tonnes of rice for 25,031 fishermen families in ten upazilas under Rangamati and Khagrachhari district adjacent of the Kaptai lake.

The latest VGF recipient upazilas are Batiaghata, Dakop, Paikgacha,Koira, Dumuria, Degolia and Rupsha under Khulna, Mongla, Morelganj and Saronkhola under Bagerhat, Ashashuni Syamnagar under Satkhira, Bashkhali, Anwara, Mireshsarai, Swandip, Khornophuly under Chattogram,

Chattogram city and Sitakunda, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Chokoria, Moheshkhali, Ukhiya, Pekua, Kutubdia, Teknaf and Ramu, Hatia Sadar, Subarnachar and Companiganj under Noakhali, Sonagazi of Feni, Ramgati, Sadar, Kamalnagar and Raipur under Lakhipur, Mehendiganj , Bakerganj, Hijla, Sadar and Uzirpur under Barishal, Rajapur of Jhalokhati, Sadar, Pathargata, Amtoli and Taltoli under Borguna, Sadar, Mathbaria, Bhandaria, Nazirpur, Nesarabad, Kaukhali and Indurkani under Pirojpur, Sadar, Kalapara, Baufal, Golachipa, Mirzaganj, Dhumki, Rangabali and Dasmina under Patuakhali, Sadar, Borhanuddin, Charfashion, Dowlatkhan, Lalmohon, Tajumuddin and Monpura under Bhola.