Government announces Tk 7,500 grant for flood affected farmers

"We will stand by the marginalised," says Advisor Zahed as relief measures roll out

The government has announced a cash grant of Tk 7,500 for each farmer affected by the flash floods in Bangladesh's north-eastern Haor regions, triggered by heavy rainfall and upstream hilly run-off.

Zahed Ur Rahman, the prime minister's information and broadcasting advisor, shared the decision during a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

"Our farmers in the Haors have suffered due to the sudden rise in water levels. While the water has receded and many were able to harvest their crops, the government is taking measures for those who incurred losses," the advisor said.

"Affected farmers will receive a grant of Tk 7,500 each."

Beyond agricultural aid, the advisor noted that the commerce ministry has approved the procurement of 13.03 million litres of refined palm oil to bolster the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) stocks for low-income cardholders.

The procurement will cost the state over Tk 1.81 billion.

The government is also moving to locally purchase 2,000 tonnes of pulses.

Addressing the energy crisis and its economic toll, Zahed admitted that financial progress has been "slightly lower" than initially expected upon taking office.

“However, economic progress has been significantly higher compared with the period under the interim government,” he claimed.

He emphasised that the administration's priority remains supporting the vulnerable.

"We will stand by the marginalised people during these crises, which is why we are increasing TCB's procurement activities," he added.