MANIKGANJ, April 24, 2024 (BSS) - Under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF)

programmes, 462.88 tonnes of rice have been distributed among 2,893 poor and
marginal fishermen in three upazilas of the district to abstain them for
catching Jatka for four months.

Manikganj District Fisheries Officer (DFO) Md. Saifur Rahman told BSS that
the government allocated the rice for 2,893 poor and distressed fishermen
families in three upazilas of the district to keep them away from Jatka
catching.

Besides, rice has also been allocated for the people who have been living on
the banks of the Padma and Jamuna rivers in Harirampur, Shibalaya and
Daulatpur upazilas for four months.

During the four months, each of the fishermen’s card holder family got 160
Kilograms (Kgs) of rice, 40-Kg per month. The distribution of rice has
already been completed in two phases.

According to the government decision, the sale, transportation, storing and
marketing of Jatka is completely prohibited from November 1 to June 30 every
year. As such, the government provides humanitarian assistance to fishermen,
who refrain from catching Jatka for four months from February to May.

The District Fisheries Officer said the rice is distributed among the poor
and distressed fishermen families to increase the production of Hilsha fish
in the country.