Govt to supply subsidised protein to 10 lakh families in Ramadan

The government will provide protein-rich food to 10 lakh families during Ramadan under a subsidised programme aimed at supporting low-income households and stabilising market prices, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Agriculture and Food Sultan Salahuddin Tuku announced on Thursday.

Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said the initiative will ensure the supply of milk, eggs, meat and fish at subsidised prices across the country throughout the holy month of Ramadan. He described the programme as part of the government’s broader welfare and food security policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The state minister made the announcement while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Ramadan subsidised sales programme at the conference room of the Livestock Research Institute in Mohakhali, Dhaka, according to an official press release.

He said the programme is designed to cover around 10 lakh families nationwide, adding that the large-scale distribution of protein-rich food during Ramadan is also expected to help stabilise market prices and benefit general consumers. He emphasised that the government must implement its commitments with honesty and sincerity to ensure that welfare measures reach intended beneficiaries.

Sultan Salahuddin Tuku stated that the subsidised protein supply initiative will play a supportive role in reducing the financial burden on low-income families during Ramadan. He added that there are plans to expand the programme in the future as part of a broader public welfare strategy.

Highlighting policy reforms linked to the government’s electoral commitments, he said initiatives will be taken to introduce family cards, agriculture cards and health cards to streamline access to public services and social safety net benefits. He stressed that coordinated teamwork and administrative efficiency are essential to meet public expectations and strengthen governance.

Referring to political leadership and historical legacy, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman earned public trust through welfare-orientated governance. He also mentioned that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia endured hardship in her efforts to establish democracy and protect people’s rights.

The event was chaired by Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Abu Sufian. Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, President of Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council Mashiur Rahman, and President of Bangladesh Cattle and Fattening Farmers Association Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, among others, were present at the ceremony.

The Ramadan subsidised protein supply programme forms part of the government’s food security and price stabilisation policy, targeting vulnerable groups during periods of high seasonal demand.