, March 4 -- Allegations of irregularities have surfaced over the distribution of government rice to fishermen who refrained from catching mother hilsa during the fishing ban in Bhedarganj Upazila, Shariatpur.

Instead of the allotted 80 kilograms, many fishermen reportedly received 6 to 10 kilograms less, sparking concern in the locality.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at South Tarabunia Union Parishad, where accusations were raised against the local panel chairman, tag officer, secretary, and their associates for distributing less rice than allotted.

Under government directives to conserve juvenile hilsa and boost fish production, fishing-including hilsa-is prohibited from March 1 to April 30 across five protected areas. Registered ...