The second phase of cash aid disbursement among 36.50 lakh families, badly hit by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, was inaugurated on Sunday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the cash aid disbursement programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban where the district administrations of Chattogram, Bhola and Joypurhat were connected.
Each beneficiary family is receiving one time Taka 2,500 as Eid gift from the Prime Minister in this pandemic-gripped difficult time and a total amount of Taka 912.50 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said that Awami League (AL), established by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, always stands beside the country’s people whenever it remains in power or in opposition.
“All our (AL) endeavors are aimed at standing by the poor people and help them,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said, “Following the footsteps of Bangabandhu, the AL always wants to stand beside the people and serve them when they face distress.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League, Krishak League, Swechasebak League and other associate bodies of AL have stood beside the people in helping them overcome their sufferings. Their activities include offering medical treatment, taking sick people to hospitals, organizing funeral, supplying food to people’s homes, arranging paddy harvesting and so on.
“The premier said many people wanted strong opposition party in the country. The AL was also in the opposition and then it worked for people and rushed to the people during any disaster,” she added.
She questioned where the opposition party is at this time of disaster though that party tries to oust the government through statements and arson attacks regularly.
In the first day, a total of 22,895 families have received Taka 2,500 each like previous year (first wave of Covid-19) with Eid greetings of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. And the remaining families would receive it within May 5.
The disbursement of cash support is being channeled through G2P (Government-to-Person) using mobile financial services (MFSs) operators- Nagad, bKash, Rocket and SureCash.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function at Ganabhaban where AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap, MP, Senior Secretary of Finance Division Abdur Rouf Talukder and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, among others, were present.
It should be mentioned that alongside cash aid, the government, like in the previous year, this year has also taken various initiatives for the poor and other people who have become workless due to the lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
Officials concerned of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said, the government already has allotted over Tk 572 crore for the purpose of cash aid to poor and low-income people. This money already has reached each ward and union levels across the country.
Under this program, about 1,24,41,900 families of the country will get financial assistance under VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) program, they said.
They also said that the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is also thinking of providing food among poor people. Each of the families will get 10 kgs of rice, 1 litre oil, one kg pulses, five kgs potato and one kg salt.
Ministry of Food
Officials of the Ministry of Food said, in order to meet the basic food needs of low-income people, the open market sale (OMS) will continue to sell rice and flour at fair prices in the divisional and district levels of the country.
They said, a total of 733 tonnes of rice and 796 tonnes of flour are being sold at 715 outlets through 715 OMS dealers across the country. This activity will continue six days a week except Fridays and public holidays.
Commerce Secretary Zafar Uddin said, “Despite the lockdown, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will continue to sell essential commodities at affordable prices by maintaining health safety rules.”
He said that the TCB is selling six products through 500 mobile trucks every day across the country. Soybean oil is being sold at Tk 100 per kg, sugar, gram and lentil pulses at Tk 55 per kg and dates at Tk 80 per kg and onion at Tk. 20 per kg.
Ministry of Agriculture
The government is going to provide Tk 5,000 as cash aid to 1,00,000 farmers affected by the recent cyclone and heat wave in recent time.
It should be mentioned that Boro paddy has been damaged due to a sudden cyclone and severe heat wave in some parts of the country a few days ago.
Officials concerned said that the farmers will get the money through mobile banking system.
