The government has earmarked more than 14,164 tonnes of rice for over 5.66 lakh fishermen families of 155 upazilas in 37 districts aiming to meet food scarcity during a 22-day government's fishing restrictions period launching from the second week of this month.

The food assistance under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme has already been distributed to the deputy commissioners of the concerned districts before imposing the ban from October 12 to November 2, to ensure the safe spawning of mother hilsa during its peak breeding period.

Along with this, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock also has disbursed Taka 35.41 lakh for the transportation cost of the food assistance, according to an official order here today.

In Dhaka division, 48,925 fishermen families will get 1223.125 tonnes of rice and each family will get 25 kg rice during the fishing ban period.

In Barishal division, 3,19,830 fishermen families of 36 upazilas under six districts will get over 7,995 tonnes of rice.

Around 1,45,670 fishermen families of 29 upazilas under seven districts of Chattogram division will get more than 3,641 tonnes of rice.

In Khulna division, 15,800 fishermen families of 16 upazilas will get 395 tonnes of rice under the allocation.

Under the food allocation, around 15,340 fishermen families of Rajshahi division will get 383.5 tonnes of rice during the fishing restriction period.

A total of 13,000 fishermen families of Rangpur division will get 325 tonnes of food assistance during the fishing ban period.

The concerned deputy commissioners have been asked to disburse the food assistance to the upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) within three days of receiving the allocation.