Around 15,000 fishermen in Patuakhali district are passing days amid hardship as they're yet to receive government's assistance although 12 days of the ongoing 22-ban on catching hilsa have already passed.
The ban has been in place since October 12 to create a safe breeding ground for mother hilsa, leaving about one lakh fishermen in Patuakhali unemployed during this time.
Even the registered fishermen are not getting rice on time. Also, only 25kg of rice is allocated for 22 days per family, which is much less than their needs, they said.The fishermen also said they needed cash assistance along with rice.
"With no income during these 22 days, I am finding it difficult to survive with my family of five without getting any government assistance. I am bearing the expenses by borrowing money," said Abdur Rashid, a fisherman of the Itbaria area of Patuakhali.
Abu Hanif of Barabighai area of the Sadar upazila and Harun Chowkidar of Chhota Baishdia area of Rangabali upazila, echoed the same.
"I got 20 kg of rice which will hardly be enough for these 22 days. We will also need oil, salt and vegetables to eat with rice. With no income at present, how will I buy these?" said Mamun Howladar, another fisherman from Rangabali upazila.
Contacted, Mahfuzur Rahman, senior fisheries officer in Patuakhali Sadar upazila, said all fishers will get rice within the next two days.
Md Anisur Rahman, field assistant at Baufal upazila fisheries office, said,"Around 6,000 of the 7,000 listed fishermen in the upazila received rice as all could not be brought under government assistance due to low allocation," Kamrul Islam, Patuakhali district fisheries officer, said, "Around 65,771 of the 85,000 registered fishermen in Patuakhali district got 25 kg of rice each while names of 10,000 more have been sent to higher authorities for approval."
Regarding cash assistance, he said it is a matter of government policy.
"Initiatives have been taken to further increase government assistance including re-registering fishermen who are out of list. The amount of assistance is also being gradually increased while steps are on to create alternative employment for the fishermen," said Nripendra Nath Biswas, deputy director of the Department of Fisheries in Barishal division.
