ZCZC
BSS-40
PM-SECRETARY-RELIEF
Govt tasks secretaries to coordinate relief distribution programme: PM
DHAKA, April 20, 2020 (BSS) – The government has tasked a secretary for each district for supervising and coordinating the relief distribution programme and health management work in view of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this while interacting with the public representatives and officials of eight districts of Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions on the present coronavirus situation of the country through a videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.
The districts are Manikganj, Gazipur, Tangail and Kishoreganj of Dhaka division and Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona and Mymensingh of Mymensingh division.
The prime minister said as the work of the ministry has been limited due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the government has given responsibility to a secretary for each district in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The secretaries will look into the matter whether relief is distributed properly and the people obey the health guidelines and instructions there to contain the COVID-19 disease,” she said, adding that they (secretaries) will later submit a report to her in this regard.
Hours after announcement of the premier, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued an order in this regard tasking 64 secretaries for 64 districts.
The order signed by PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said the secretaries will supervise and monitor the COVID-19-related health management work and relief distribution programme after discussion and coordination with the parliament members, district administrators, local distinguished persons and officials concerned of the district.
The order also mentioned that the secretaries could engage the appropriate officials of their respective ministries/divisions/departments/organisations in the coordination work.
In the videoconference, the prime minister said the government is keeping a sharp eye on whether relief goods are being reached to the poor and distressed people hit hard by the nationwide shutdown for the COVID-19 outbreak.
She also said the government has taken special measures for smooth supply of the essential goods in the upcoming Ramadan.
Sheikh Hasina said she has directed the authorities concerned to prepare a list of the genuine needy people irrespective of parties and opinions and develop their database so that the actual needy people get relief and OMS rice.
“Simultaneously, we’ve asked our party leaders and workers to form committees up to the ward level and help prepare a list of the genuine needy people so that they get succours in this perilous time,” she said.
BSS/SH/KU/2020hrs