CHATTOGRAM, May 11, 2019 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the government is working to turn the country into a social welfare state.
“The government is working to make the country a social welfare state. That is why, the government kept allocation over 13.5 per cent in social safety net sector in the current budget,” he told the distribution ceremony of homes among 210 poor families of Rangunia upazila under Asrayan project at upazila parishad auditorium here.
The minister said around 25 per cent people have been brought under social safety net through different programmes.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Masudur Rahman chaired the function while Upazila Parishad newly elected chairman Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury addressed it as the chief discussant.
Assistant Commissioner (land) Purbita Chakma, Rangunia municipality mayor Shahjahan Sikder, upazila vice-chairmen Shafiqul Islam and Manwara Begum and UP chairman Nazrul Islam Talukder, among others, attended it.
Mahmud said the Awami League government has given priority to alleviate poverty from the country and develop the living standard of rural people.
Because of the government’s different initiatives, the country has already attained different achievements in poverty alleviation, he said.
The minister said when AL assumed office in 2009, over 40 per cent people were below poverty line while it declined to 20 per cent now.
In the last one decade, Bangladesh has set an example in development of rural areas and economy, he added.
Some 110 students were given stipends of Taka 30,000 each along with education materials and 40 poor families each received two goats.