Tk 117cr project taken up for flood victims in North

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government would import 15 lakh tonnes of food grains, if necessary, to ensure food security of people.

“We'll distribute free food among the extreme poor who cannot buy food. Our plan is to ensure that not a single person suffers from hunger until the next crops are harvested,” she said.

The PM was giving out relief materials and seedlings to flood victims at Gobindaganj Upazila Parishad.

She said her government has taken up a Tk 117 crore project for the rehabilitation of flood victims in the northern districts.

Under the programme, farmers would get various benefits till the next Boro crops are harvested. Six lakh farmers of six northern districts would get five kg Boro seeds, 20 kg DAP fertiliser, five kg MOP fertiliser and Tk 1,000 each, she added.

The government has also initiated a Tk 58.77 crore incentive programme to provide support to farmers. Under the programme, each farmer would get 10-20 kg DAP fertiliser and 5-15 kg MOP fertiliser so that he doesn't face any hurdle in buying seed and fertilisers, said the PM.

Hasina said the government had been aware that there would be a flashflood this year. “So, we took steps to ensure food for all and avoid any possible food scarcity...we've already started importing food grains.”

The government would distribute Tk 58,77,19,315 among the flood victims alongside offering agricultural loans so that they can cultivate their next crops, she said. “We're beside you, and will remain so. We'll do whatever is needed to change your fate.”

The premier said distribution of rice seedlings began on August 24 and it would continue in the flood-hit northern districts to help farmers start cultivation.

Seedlings were being produced in different state-owned agricultural research and development centres. About 1,000 floating seedbeds were being prepared to produce paddy saplings, the PM told the programme.

Terming flood a blessing for the country from some perspectives, she said the level of underground water, which is falling day by day, rises with rainwater and flood water. Flood water also leaves silt on cultivable land to make it more fertile.

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Food Minister Qamrul Islam, among others, spoke on the occasion.

'STAY ALERT ABOUT DISEASES'

Speaking at a meeting with senior government officials of Gaibandha at the conference hall of Gobindaganj Upazila Parishad, the PM directed the officials to remain alert about the possible outbreak of different diseases after the recession of floodwater.

She also asked them to take necessary steps for clearing stagnant floodwater and reconstruct damaged bridges and culverts in the flood-hit areas.

She told the Water Development Board to dredge the rivers to restore their channels. She asked the officials not to allow lifting of sand from the same place every year.

PM VISITS BOGRA

Addressing a programme in Bogra's Sariakandi upazila yesterday, Hasina said necessary measures were taken to make sure that not a single person was deprived of food.

She distributed relief materials among the flood victims and paddy seedlings among the affected farmers at Sariakandi Degree College.

The PM said apart from allocating 1,100 tonnes of rice and Tk 25 lakh for the Bogra flood victims, the government allocated adequate funds to rebuild damaged houses, educational institutions, roads and bridges.

The government already started sending medical teams with adequate medicines to the flood-hit areas to prevent the outbreak of various waterborne diseases, she added.