ZCZC
BSS-39
HASAN-JOURNO-ASSISTANCE
Journalists including critics of govt. get assistance: Hasan
DHAKA, May 4, 2021 (BSS) – Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr
Hasan Mahmud today said the assistance of Journalists Welfare Trust is
open to all helpless newsmen of the state irrespective of thoughts and
opinion even those who criticize the government strongly.
“We believe that the state belongs to all. So, everyone could get
the assistance of the state irrespective of thoughts and opinion even
those who criticize the government strongly or not our supporter. And
we have implemented this” he said.
The minister stated this while addressing the Bangladesh
Journalists’ Welfare Trust cheques distribution ceremony at the Press
Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in the capital.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murad Hasan and
Secretary of the ministry Khaja Mia addressed the function as special
guests.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) president Molla
Jalal, acting secretary general Abdul Mazid, Dhaka Union of
Journalists (DUJ) president Quddus Afrad and general secretary Sajjad
Alam Khan Tapu, among others, spoke with PIB Director General and also
managing director of the trust Zafar Wazed in the chair.
Hasan said the media-friendly Awami League government has ensured
independence and exploration as well of the media. Mass media in
Bangladesh are enjoying unprecedented freedom which is rare in
developing nation, he added.
The government, he said, is working for the interest of the
exploration of the state and to move forward the multidimensional
society system.
The minister urged the concerned to distribute the special
allocation for COVID-19 of Taka two crore among journalists before
Eid.
About BNP’s stand over mass media, he said BNP carried out
criticism only. “Some persons are also wrote letters to the United
Nations. The letters and BNP’s statements are intertwined. And theses
all are nothing but a part of politics,” said Hasan, also Awami League
joint general secretary.
About the treatment of BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia, the minister
said she was prime minister of the country and a senior politician. “I
prayed for her early recovery. She will back home defeating COVID 19,
and this is my prayer to the great creator,” he added.
He said the treatment of COVID-19 is same in all countries and the
treatment of Bangladesh is better. “So, I don’t understand the idea of
going abroad for the treatment of COVID-19,” said Hasan.
Murad Hasan said the government is working relentlessly for the
betterment of people and journalists as well.
Khaja Mia extended thanks to Journalists Welfare Trust for
organising the event.
Later, the minister handed over cheques among 30 journalists. The
trust sources said a total of 200 journalists and their family members
would get assistance of Taka 2 crore 8.50 lakh this fiscal year.
After establishing the trust, 196 journalists and their family
members have received assistance of Taka 1.40 crore in 2015-16 fiscal
year while 231 journalists received Taka 1.98 crore in 2016-17, 303
journalists received Taka 2.69 crore in 2017-18, 339 journalists
received Taka 2.90 crore in 2018-19, and 199 journalists received Taka
1 crore 69.25 lakh in 2019-20 fiscal.
A total of 4,640 journalists and their family members have received
assistance of Taka 14.7 crore till now.
Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave special allocation of
Taka 10 crore to the trust to combat the second wave of COVID-19
situation.
BSS/Asg/PSB/MRU/2026hrs