The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The government has distributed 4.69 lakh pieces of blankets and taka 6.48 crore till Sunday among cold stricken people in the country particularly in Sidre affected area.

Besides, various non-government organizations have distributed 1.54 crore pieces of blankets among the cold stricken people in Sidre area, said a government handout on Sunday night.

Of the total, the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation provided 4.10 lakh pieces blankets and taka 1.28 crore, while Chief Adviser's office provided 57,500 pieces blankets and taka 5.20 crore through deputy commissioners of the district concerned.

The Department of Relief and Rehabilitation has been distributing blankets among the cold affected people since November 14, 2007.

Meanwhile, 38 thousand 889 pieces of blankets were distributed among the people of 32 districts including 16 in North Bengal.

The blankets were sent by the Embassy of Brazil in India through the Banapole Land Port on January 13 and 14.

Last year, a total of 1.93 crore pieces of blankets were distributed during the winter season among the cold affected people.

The programme for distributing cloths among cold stricken people is going on full swing and the government has sufficient funds to buy warm cloths, the handout said.