Bangladesh to provide free rice for 10mn families during Ramadan

To prevent price spirals during Ramadan, the government will also provide food grains at subsidised rates, according to Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumdar

The government has announced plans to distribute 700,000 tonnes of food grains during Ramadan and the following month, ensuring food security for millions.

According to Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumdar, 10 million families will receive 10 kg of rice for free during Eid-ul-Fitr.

Speaking to reporters on Monday after a meeting with district administrators at the Deputy Commissioners' Conference, the advisor emphasised the importance of an organised distribution system.

"Deputy commissioners have been instructed to maintain order in food grain distribution and help stabilise market prices," he said.

To prevent price spirals during Ramadan, the government will provide food grains at subsidised rates and, in some cases, for free, according to Majumdar.

Deputy commissioners, or DCs, have been directed to ensure smooth implementation of this initiative.

The distribution plan covers two months -- March (during Ramadan) and April (post-Eid). Of the 700,000 tonnes, 300,000 tonnes will be allocated under the "Khadya Bandhab Programme", with 150,000 tonnes distributed each month. Under this initiative, 5 million families will receive 30 kg of rice each at a rate of Tk 15 a kg.

Another 100,000 tonnes have been allocated to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, or TCB, which will distribute them evenly in the next two months.

Meanwhile, 100,000 tonnes will be sold via the Open Market Sale, or OMS, programme.

Majumdar believes that these efforts will help stabilise rice prices and ensure a steady supply in the market.

"This distribution will play a key role in controlling market prices. While various authorities will handle the logistics, the DCs will oversee the entire process," he said.

Majumdar noted that previous monitoring of these initiatives in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area was not as stringent. "We have issued special instructions for officials in Dhaka to strictly supervise the process."

To ensure proper oversight, magistrates will monitor the food grain distribution in the Dhaka Division through 122 sales centres and 70 truck sales points.

Majumdar, also the land advisor to the interim government, further revealed that by Mar 10, 80% of land management tasks related to e-mutation (digital land registration) will be completed, making the process more efficient and transparent.