The government is broadening its social security projects gradually as about 75 lakh disadvantaged people have been brought under the safety net programme aiming to alleviate poverty in the country.
“The number of the beneficiaries is increasing gradually…Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will make Bangladesh a poverty- and hunger-free country,” an official of Department of Social Services (DSS) told BSS. He said the government allocated Taka 54,206 crore for allowances to old-aged people, widows, women repressed by husbands and insolvent physically challenged people aimed at alleviating poverty in the country. “Poverty in Bangladesh has dramatically reduced following inclusive growth strategy under the bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the official said.
According to official data, the government has been implementing 145 social safety net programmes. The Awami League government in fiscal 1996-97 for the first time introduced social safety net programme. The government is disbursing Taka 1,890 crore among 31.50 lakh people as old-age allowance while each of them get Taka 500 per month. Taka 690 crore is being distributed among 11.50 lakh widows or women repressed by husband while one gets Taka 500 each per month. A total of 7.50 lakh insolvent disabled people are also receiving allowances at Taka 600 each. The department is working to bring all the old aged, widows and disadvantaged people under social security programme. Besides, the government enacted the safe food law in 2013 and the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority was formed in 2015. Bangladesh is on the highway of development under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership while it has been moving forward to become a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.
