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AL-RELIEF-COMMITTEE
PM asks for forming AL’s countrywide relief committees
DHAKA, April 15, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today asked the leaders and workers of the party and its associate bodies to immediately form relief committees across the country to assist the local administrations in distribution of succours.
“The AL president gave the directives through a videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence this afternoon in view of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country,” an AL press release said, adding the party leaders joined it from her Dhanmondi political office in the city.
It said the prime minister instructed to constitute relief committees comprising leaders and workers of the party and associate bodies up to the ward-level to cooperate local administration in distribution of succours.
The AL chief simultaneously directed the leaders of all upazila units of the party to form ward-level committees soon and submit the lists to respective district units, the release said.
Sheikh Hasina said these committees will prepare lists of truly poor and distressed people irrespective of parties and opinions as well as to extend allout cooperation to local administration in making lists of beneficiaries and coordinating the relief distribution programmes by following health guidelines and maintaining social distancing.
The premier mentioned at present 50 lakh extreme poor, distressed and jobless working class people have been brought under the government’s ration card facilities, while a programme has been undertaken to include 50 lakh more such people to provide similar facilities.
Sheikh Hasina said the AL relief committees would extend cooperation to this end by standing beside the people during this humanitarian crisis and also carry out awareness-raising campaign about the COVID-19.
Besides, relief activities being conducted by the own funding of local AL committees will continue, she added.
AL Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were present on the occasion, among others.
BSS/PR/BKD/MKD/SH/2230 HRS