Dashmina Fishermen Get No Allocated 25kg Rice Even as Hilsa Ban Ends

Even though the 22-day ban during the mother hilsa breeding season has passed, fishermen in Dashmina upazila of Patuakhali have not received the government-allocated rice. It has been alleged that no fisherman in Rangopaldi and Dashmina unions received the rice.

So that fishermen would not fall into a livelihood crisis during the ban, the government had allocated 25 kilograms of free rice to each fisherman. But as the ban period came to an end, that rice had not reached the fishermen's hands.

Allegations of negligence have been raised against the union parishad chairmen and members in the incident. Fishermen allege that the chairmen and UP members are delaying giving the rice in order to divide it among themselves and to include in the list their relatives and people who are not fishermen.

Many fishermen were forced to go down to the river despite the risk of the ban, driven by hunger, it was reported. As a result, the main purpose of protecting hilsa breeding is being hampered, it was said.

It was said that an explanation must be sought as to why fishermen did not get rice even after the ban period ended. The upazila nirbahi officer and the deputy commissioner were urged to play a role in this regard.

A demand was also raised for an explanation as to why the tactic of passing time on the pretext of correcting the list was adopted. If UP chairmen still fail to distribute the rice within a set time, the upazila administration should take responsibility for direct distribution under its own supervision, it was said.

A demand was made to form an investigation committee under the local administration to look into the allegations of irregularities and nepotism through list manipulation. Whoever is found guilty in the investigation should be brought under the law, it was also said.

A demand for criminal cases against those who resort to unfair means with government assistance was also raised, so that in future no other public representative dares to deprive ordinary people of their rights.

To prevent such irregularities, it was said that the list of fishermen registered through national identity cards should be made public. A demand was also made to finalise the list at least a week before a future ban begins and ensure the allocated rice reaches real fishermen on time.

Just as protecting hilsa is a matter of national interest, protecting the basic rights of the fishermen whose lives depend on catching this hilsa is the state's responsibility, it was said. Along with ensuring the rice allocated for Dashmina's fishermen is delivered, legal action against the responsible public representatives was demanded.