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BUDGET-RELIGIOUS-AFFAIRS
Taka 2,240cr proposed for Religious Affairs Ministry
DHAKA, June 3, 2021 (BSS) – The government has proposed to allocate Taka 2,240 crore for the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the fiscal 2021-22.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal came up with the proposal while placing the national budget for the fiscal 2021-22 in the House today.
The proposed budget for the ministry was Taka 1,693 crore in the fiscal 2020-21, while the revised budget was Taka 2,078 crore.
In his budget speech, Kamal said hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia will be kept on hold this year like last year due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he said, hajj management is being ensured through information technology, including the introduction of e-hajj system to complete all the functions of hajj in the coming years.
The finance minister said upward expansion and renovation of the hajj camp building are progressing fast to accommodate all service providers.
About 1,000 imams have been provided interest-free loans and 4,000 distressed imams have got financial assistance in the current financial year under the Imam and Muazzin Welfare Trust, he said.
Kamal said welfare activities are being carried out in a coordinated manner through Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Welfare Trusts for the people of respective religions to ensure communal harmony and peaceful social order.
A grant of Taka 3.66 crore from the profits of the endowment fund has been provided to 747 churches/cemeteries/places of worship and religious institutions since the establishment of the trust, he added.
BSS/ASG/MRI/FI/ 1925 hrs