RAJSHAHI: Above 11.84 lakh marginalised and distressed families were brought under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme in all eight districts under Rajshahi division this year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr festival, reports BSS.

Under the programme, 11,844.46 tonnes of rice were allocated for distribution among the beneficiary families in all 565 union parishads under 67 upazilas and 62 pourasabhas (municipalities) in the division.

Meanwhile, distribution of the VGF rice was almost completed before the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid festival as well.

The government through the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated a requisite quantity of rice in the division.

As per direction and supervision of the district administration, the concerned upazila administrations with the assistance of local public representatives and union level committees distributed the rice among the listed VGF Card holder families for the last couple of days.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) in Rajshahi Shalah-Uddin-Al Wadud told that distribution of VGF rice was completed within the stipulated time so that the beneficiary poor and distressed families could celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr in festive mood.

Respective union parishads prepared the list of the distressed people in their areas and rice is being distributed with approval of the concerned UNOs, Wadud added.

He said instructions were given to the Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) along with project implementation officers (PIOs) to distribute the rice to the beneficiaries smoothly within the scheduled time.

“We were very much conscious about the quantity and quality of rice scheduled to be distributed,” he added.

District-wise breakup of the card-holding beneficiary families are: 70,475 in Rajshahi, 2,13,844 in Sirajganj, 1,67,243 in Pabna, 91,897 in Natore, 2,44,465 in Naogaon, 35,029 in Joypurhat, 1,90,362 in Chapainawabganj and 1,70,991 in Bogura.