ZCZC
BSS-32
PM-INCENTIVE-BANK 2 LAST DHAKA
The prime minister said the government has taken steps to save lives of
the people and ensure their treatment facilities by combating the coronavirus
in one hand, while it is continuing relief assistance for the people in a
planned way, on the other hand.
“I’m inquiring round the clock about relief distribution up to the remote
areas,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the well-off people have come forward alongside the
government to extend support to the distressed people in this perilous time.
“The relief goods are also being disbursed on behalf of our party so that
none suffer for want of food and treatment,” she said.
In this connection, the premier reiterated her call to the countrymen to
keep confidence and mental strength and stay ready to face any situation.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has relaxed the nationwide shutdown over
the COVID-19 pandemic to some extent for the sake of the livelihood of the
people.
“Though the infection rate might increase slightly for relaxing the
restrictions, I hope we’ll be able to bring it under control,” she said.
“If we compare with the developed countries, our healthcare services
showed adequate efficiency. That’s why we’ve been able to keep the disease
under control to a large extent,” she said.
The prime minister urged all to follow the health codes properly to
protect themselves from the COVID-19.
“We’re trying our best to protect the people from the lethal disease and
calling upon them to follow the health codes,” she said and thanked them for
responding to the call and maintaining the instructions.
The prime minister urged the people not to always wear masks, saying that they have to use it when they go out of home. “Wearing masks round the clock is harmful
for lungs as it obstructs supply of oxygen,” she said.
Referring to much-talked about N95 mask, she said this mask is not for the
use of the general people. “This mask is for those who provide services to
COVID-19 patients,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also thanked the health workers, including doctors and
nurses, officials of the administration, the members of the armed forces and
law enforcement agencies, saying that they have been working round the clock
by risking their lives to contain the disease.
The prime minister once again asked all concerned to make sure that no
single inch of land across the country remains fallowed to effectively fight
the possible famine due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve fertile land and hard working people and we’ve to utilise those to
boost food production… we’ve to produce crops keeping in mind that we can
help other countries after meeting our own demand,” she said.
In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said she has already asked the agriculture
ministry to take initiatives and accordingly they took proper measures.
She said the leaders and workers of Awami League, Krishak League, Jubo
League, Sechhasebak League and Chhatra League have stood beside the framers
alongside the administration and law enforcement agencies to harvest their
paddy.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the videoconference at
Ganabhaban and made a presentation on the cash support programme.
While inaugurating the distribution of stipend and tuition fees from her
education assistance trust fund among the students of bachelor degree and its
equivalent level, the prime minister elaborated her government’s various
steps for the development of education sector.
“We’ve given the highest importance to education as educated nation is
required to build a poverty-free nation,” she said, adding the government has
taken steps to reach education to the people’s doorsteps.
Through the mobile and online banking, stipend and tuition fee of Taka
111,40,43,800 will be disbursed among 2,09674 students of bachelor degree and
its equivalent level of 2019 academic year.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni joined the videoconference from her
ministry, while Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Nowfel
was present at the ministry.
The prime minister later exchanged views with the beneficiaries of the
cash assistance of Barguna, Shariatpur, Sunamganj and Lalmoniraht districts
through videoconference.
BSS/SH/GA/1733 hrs