ZCZC
BSS-38
PM-ADDRESS-BOISHAKH-2 LAST DHAKA
Last year, we set four key activities to address the possible adverse impacts coronavirus on the economy. These four activities are:
(1) Increasing government’s expenditure: Giving priority to ‘job creation’ in the field of government expenditure;
(2) Formulating financial assistance packages: Revival of economic activities, continuation of jobs for employees and workers, and retaining the entrepreneurs’ ability of competition;
(3) Enhancing the coverage of social safety net: Increasing the coverage of existing social safety net to meet the basic needs of the common people living under the poverty line, day-laborers and the people engaged in informal activities;
(4) Increasing the money supply: To overcome the adverse effects of the economy, the money supply should be increased in such a way that inflation does not occur.
Our activities based on these four principles still persist. We have already announced 23 incentive packages worth about Taka one lakh 24 thousand 53 crore. We have taken necessary steps so that production is not hampered in factories. We have taken initiative to increase agricultural production. We have provided assistances to day-laborers, transport workers, hawkers, rickshaw-pullers, shop employees, teachers and students of the school and madrasa, imams and muazzins of mosques, people serving at the religious institutions of other religions, journalists and other low-income people. About two and a half crore people were brought under the coverage of various government grants.
There is no reason for you to be worried. The government is always by your side. I, prior to hitting the second wave, instructed to take necessary actions to support the poor and lower-income people. We have already allocated Tk 807.65 crore for creating jobs in rural areas and more than Taka 672 crore for the holy Ramadan and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. About one crore 24 lakh 42 thousand poor families of the country would be benefitted in this way. Soon after the coronavirus outbreak in last year, the coverage of various social safety nets, including VGF and test relief, were increased.
Dear countrymen,
Scientists have already discovered a few vaccines against the coronavirus. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is one of those. Fortunately, we were able to bring a significant amount of vaccine doses at the very outset of vaccine production. More than 56 lakh of people have already been vaccinated with the first dose. Those, who took the first dose of vaccine, have already started getting the second dose. We will gradually bring all people under the vaccination programme. We have the preparation for it.
The health experts, however, say there is no guarantee that a person will remain completely protected after getting vaccinated. So, we have to abide by the heath rules even after taking vaccine.
The coverage of coronavirus patients’ treatment in every district of country, including Dhaka, is being further increased. In the meantime, arrangements were made to provide uninterrupted oxygen to specialized government hospitals for the treatment of coronavirus patients. Existing ICU facilities are being further increased.
But we all have to be careful. Each of us has a responsibility to protect ourselves, our family members and our neighbours as well. So avoid crowds. Use mask while going out. After returning home, be clean and steam with the hot water. The government has already issued 18-point directives to tackle the coronavirus. If we all adhere to the health rules to tackle the coronavirus, we would certainly be able to control this epidemic, InshaAllah.
Dear countrymen,
Pandemics come in ages, various storms and disasters come too. The human civilization has to survive by dealing with these. The way of life is not smooth. But no matter how difficult the path is, we have to move forward overcoming it. I would like to say in the words of our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam:
“Amra cholibo poshchate feli pocha atit (We will leave behind the rotten past)
Giri Guha Chari khola prantory gahib geet (Will sing song leaving hill, cave in the open space).
Srijibo jagot bichitrator birajaban (Will create more different world with heroism)
Taja jibonta se nobo sristi shram-mohan (It is fresh alive with newly created labour-great).”
The Bangalee is a nation of heroes. We have survived by overcoming different adversities. We will also tackle this pandemic coronavirus, InshaAllah. So at the advent of the New Year, it is our prayer before the almighty Allah’s court, so that He saves the world from this lethal disease.
All of you stay well, stay healthy. Everyone should follow the health rules. Happy New Year to everyone again. May the almighty Allah help us all.
Khoda Hafez
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,
May Bangladesh live forever
BSS/SIR/GA/1947 HRS