The World Food Prog ramme (WFP) It lo ensure steady supply of food worth 49 million US dollar lo support government s Vulnerable Croup Development (VCD) programme for nest three years, says UNB.

Under the WFP offer. Bang ladcsh will receive Iwo lakh and 440 metric tons of wheat, 1.100 tons of pulses and 6.400 tons vegetable oil to keep the VGD programme going.

According Lo a competent source of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the government is expected to sign an agreement with Ihc WFP sometime towards the close of the current month for its proposed food assistance.

The inlcr-mlnisterial committee of the government, consisting of Relief. Food. Women s Affairs. Primary and Mass Education, and Rural

Development Divisions, held Its meeting Iasi week to de lib crate on the' plan of operation and to discuss certain amend ns nts tabled on the terms and conditions of the WFP offer

The government will take up Ihc amendments for nego nation with the WFP If every thing goes well, the govern ment is expected to sign the agreement for receiving food assistance for Us VGD programme sometime towards the end of March.

The VGD programme cov ers some five lakh destitute women. each of whom will receive 31 25 kilogrammes of wheat per month for a period of two years.

As per terms and conditions of the food assistance, these women must learn useful trade so that al the expiry of Ihc period of assistance they deploy their training in those

trade to earn their own living.

The VCD programme is aimed at he lping the vast mul litudes of destitute women tn rural as well as In urban areas lo stand on their feet Instead of remaining as perpetual liability to society.

Inesc women are required to mobilise a saving of Tk 25 each every month lo entitle themselves to the- food aid. The- governincnl Insists on this saving so that each ot them is left with Tk 600 by the time they are out of the VGD pro gramme after Iwo years

This petty fund of Tk 600 will entitle a woman to small loan from banks or other financing Institutions to start some collage Industry or use II In some gainful avocation During the two years of food aid they are being trained to’ handle credit while learning a useful trade.