The government has banned all kinds of fishing in the river from October 7 to protect mother Hilsa during the breeding season. This ban will remain till October 28. For these 22 days, fishermen cannot go down to the river. Every year during such restrictions, the government provides food assistance to the fishermen.
In previous years, food aid was given to fishermen as soon as the ban began. Nevertheless, even ten days after the ban started, the fishermen of Baufal in Patuakhali did not get food aid this year. It takes another three-four days to get food aid rice, said the concerned.
According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, there are 6,000 fishers listed in Kalaia, Chandradwip, Nazirpur, Keshabpur, Dhulia and Kachipara unions in the upazila. Everyone will be given 25kg of rice. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has allocated 150 metric tons of rice. However, the fishermen have not received that rice yet.
Meanwhile, he has become unemployed due to the ban on fishing in rivers. These fishermen families are spending more humane days as they are not involved in any alternative profession.
Upazila Kalaiyar Union of Charkalaiya village registered fishermen. Al-Amin said, the siege continues. Fishermen in the area do not go down to the river. There is no work. The government used to give rice, but I didn't get that rice this year. My family and me along with hundreds of fishermen in the area are starving due to lack of food aid.
Jalal Bepari, Riaz Bepari, Barek Howladar of Keshavpur and numerous fishermen from the area are suffering the same fate.
It is known that the reason for the delay in providing food assistance to the fishermen is that the district council elections are going on. In that election, local people's representatives exercise voting rights. Voting will be held on October 17.
There is such a delay in providing food assistance to the fishermen due to busy time with elections.
In this regard, upazila fisheries officer Mahbub Alam Talukder said, the rice distribution process has started, hopefully the rice distribution will be completed within the next 20 days.