Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumder spoke at a view exchange meeting at the Manikganj District Circuit House today. Photo : BSS

MANIKGANJ, Aug 12, 2025 (BSS) - Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumder said the current food stock of 21.79 lakh tons is a historic high and is highly satisfactory.

"We need to maintain a minimum safe stock around 13.5 lakh tons," he added, explaining that considering food security and potential food risks, the government has taken advance preparations.

He said this at a view exchange meeting held yesterday at the Manikganj District Circuit House under the auspices of the Manikganj District Administration and Department of Food. 

Deputy Commissioner Dr Manwar Hossein Malla presided over the programme. 

The Food Advisor said the government's food-friendly programmes will begin this year on August 17 with expanded coverage. The number of beneficiaries will increase by 5 lakh, reaching a total of 55 lakh households this time.

Each beneficiary will receive 30 kilograms of rice monthly at a subsidized rate of Taka 15 per kilogram. 

This year, the food-friendly programmes will run for six months, compared to five months last year. In the first phase, the programme will operate for four months, from August to November. It will then be suspended during December and January before resuming in February and March, the Food Advisor added.

Some 10 lakh tons of rice will be distributed under the programme this year, he said. 

The Food Advisor emphasized that no irregularity will be tolerated in implementing the food-friendly programmes and that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in misconduct. 

Md Abdul Hasanat, Director General of the Directorate of Food, and Suraiya Khatun, Regional Food Controller of Dhaka Division, were attended the programme as special guests.