PM asks MPs to ensure fair distribution of low-cost rice

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the parliament members and other elected representatives across the country to ensure fair distribution of low-cost rice among the ultra poor.

She asked the parliament members and government officials to verify the list prepared by local public representatives for rice distribution to ensure getting the rice only by the ultra poor families.

The government would take action if any anomalies and irregularities were found in the process depriving the actual poor of the benevolent initiative, she told the House during the the prime minister's weekly question-answer session today.

Replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench member Mir Showkat Ali Badsha, the prime minister said the low-cost rice is for the abject poor, who lack purchasing power to buy food. It's not for solvent families.

Dealership would be cancelled if any person is found adopting anomalies and necessary action would be taken against the elected representatives if found guilty, the prime minister warned.

The prime minister said the government has taken a decision to continue the food aid programme for the poor for a long time as the Awami League government in the past also followed the same procedure particularly during the month of Ramadan and disasters.

"The government will distribute rice among the poor as long as they will require the same, and the government has sufficient stock to supply food to the poor, particularly poor elders and disabled people, she said.

However, the prime minister said the government would not require continuing the food distribution programme for a long time as poverty is declining and purchase capacity of the people is increasing.