ZCZC
BSS-02
PM-BAB-BLANKETS
Govt creates scope of using banks by people: PM
DHAKA, Nov 3, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her
government has created a scope of using banks by the people and both the
state-owned and private banks are getting its benefits.
“We’ve taken steps to build a habit of using banks among the people and
they’re using the banks in various purposes like admission (at educational
institutions), receiving healthcare and constructing houses,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina added: “Both the state-owned and private banks are getting
benefits from it.”
The prime minister made the remarks while receiving blankets from the
Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) at her official Ganabhaban residence
here yesterday evening.
Thirty six banks under the BAB donated 27 lakh pieces of blankets to the
Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund through the function.
Reiterating that her aim is to ensure welfare of the people, Sheikh Hasina
said she does not feel tired when she works for the people.
“When I work for the people, I don’t become tired … if people stay well,
that is my great achievement,” she said.
BAB Chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumdar spoke at the function, while PM’s
Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman F Rahman and Chief of
Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed were present, among others.
The prime minister said many things are written about the banks. “But those
who have idea about it will not write so much … it’s also right that many
(people) write with many intentions,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina continued on saying: “I’ll say that there is nothing to be
worried about it. As you work much, the expectation of people will be more.”
“There is nothing to be worried and if you run the banks honestly, there
will not be any problem,” the premier added.
Sheikh Hasina said her government while giving licences to the private
banks has made it mandatory to open their branches at upazila and district
headquarters and fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR). “There was no
such system in the past,” she said.
The premier said some quarters had advised to close down the non-profitable
branches of the state owned banks. “The World Bank had given such a
prescription … but when we came to power we didn’t accept the prescription
as economic activities are not equal in all regions,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the banks will make profit in the regions where economic
activities are more and the banks will not make profit in those areas where
economic activities are less.
“I’ll measure in totality. So why I’ll shut down banks, rather I’ll teach
people about using of banks. That’s why we’ve created scope of opening bank
account with Tk 10,” she said.
The prime minister thanked the private banks for extending their helping
hands through their CSR programme.
“The government is providing assistance to the distressed humanity. But
they’re being more benefitted when you come forward,” she said.
In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said economic condition of the people is
improving gradually. “They’ll not need any assistance in future Insha Allah,”
she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
had liberated Bangladesh with a dream of establishing a developed and
prosperous country.
“Bangabandhu couldn’t do it … but I’ve taken the responsibility of
materialising his unfinished dream,” she said.
Highlighting the country’s tremendous development that took place in the
last one decade, Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on keeping up the development
spree.
“The country’s economy is now very strong and internationally, nobody now
sees Bangladesh in the eyes of neglect,” she said.
The prime minister said her government has implemented the sixth five-year
plan and “now we are executing the seventh five-year plan”. “We’ve started
work on framing the eighth five-year plan,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has also adopted Delta Plan-2021 keeping
the impact of climate change and cyclones and floods as well as ensuring
beautiful life for the future generations in mind.
The BAB chairman informed that the private banks have taken a decision to
set up “Mujib Corner” in their respective banks ahead of the birth centenary
of Bangabandhu next year.
“The BAB will establish “Bangabandhu Chair” at Rajshahi and Chattogram
Universities alongside taking massive programmes to celebrate the birth
centenary of the Father of the Nation,” he said.
At the function, the Dutch-Bangla Bank has donated Tk 10 crore to the PM’s
Relief and Welfare Fund for purchasing blankets.
Chairmen, managing directors and directors of the 36 private banks were
present on the occasion.
Earlier, the prime minister gave financial assistance of Taka 2.80 crore to
the Ansar-VDP members who died while performing duties in the last general
elections and upazila polls, as well as some party leaders and workers,
valiant freedom fighters and the August 21 grenade attack victims.
BSS/SH/GMR/KU/1049 hrs