We applaud Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for introducing universal pension scheme in order to bring the country’s all citizens aged above 18 under the pension coverage. The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s worthy daughter Sheikh Hasina has been working courageously and tirelessly to bring smiles on the faces of the country’s people and build smart Bangladesh as well. She rolled out the much-anticipated universal pension scheme on Thursday, saying she wants to make the life of everyone meaningful and thus improve their living standard by completing the unfinished tasks of her father.
The government initially opened four pension schemes out of six - Pragati, Surokkha, Samata and Prabashi- while two others will later be introduced. The Pragati scheme will be applicable for private job holders, the Surokkha for self-employed persons, the Samata for low-income people and the Prabashi scheme for expatriate Bangladeshis. Besides, expatriate Bangladeshis are also eligible to the benefits.
This step will play a remarkable role in ensuring better and improved life of everyone. The countrymen should keep their trust and confidence in Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Our independence gifted by Bangabandhu will not be meaningful if every person does not get a developed and better life. Bangladesh has got the status of a developing nation from the least developed country following Bangabandhu’s ideal. When people will be brought under its coverage they will enjoy a lifetime pension facility after being their age 60.
The universal pension scheme
will change the socio-economic
conditions of many people,
especially the old-age group
The universal pension scheme will change the socio-economic conditions of many people, especially the old-age group. No previous government like military dictators Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad, and Zia’s wife Begum Khaleda Zia did pay any attention to wellbeing of middle-aged and elderly people, although they looted thousands of crore of taka from the state exchequer.
This will particularly benefit the elderly population when they become jobless or become afflicted with diseases, paralysis, old age or other similar conditions, or extreme poverty amid high life expectancy rate. This pension system will get a huge response of common people.
Because many people in the old stage of life become helpless or abandoned by their family members in our society. If people are solvent in their old age, they will not have to depend on others.
Solvency will always make them confident, happier and tension free. Therefore, in an effort to bring the elderly under a sustainable social security system, the government-led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set another example.
