The workers were constructing a toilet at a school next to the temple in Faridpur’s Madhukhali Upazila
Recipients must not depend too much on government allowances, says Hasina
People must not depend solely on government allowances and turn indolent, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said on National Social Service Day.
Published : 2 Jan 2018, 12:37 PM
Updated : 2 Jan 2018, 12:37 PM
“The allowances are there to ensure that no-one goes unfed. But those who are capable must work in order to earn a living,” Hasina said at a programme at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Tuesday.
The ruling Awami League chief stressed providing allowances on a scale that people do not lose the motivation to work.
A greater number of competent people will help improve the socio-economic conditions, she said.
“I have heard people saying that the amount given as allowances is not enough to run families. We are not here to run all the families. Our duty is to make sure that no-one is left hungry or left out in the cold. That’s it.”
The government has increased the amount of monthly allowances to senior citizens, widows, underprivileged autistic people and autistic students, said Hasina.
Senior citizens and widows receive Tk 500 a month in government allowances.
A total of 3.5 million senior citizens will be given monthly allowances in fiscal 2017-18. The government allocated Tk 7.59 billion in allowances for 1.26 million widows, according to the prime minister.
Monthly stipends for autistic people have been raised to Tk 700 from Tk 200. The number of beneficiaries has been raised to 825,000 from 100,000, she noted.
A total of 80,000 autistic students will receive funds this fiscal year -- Tk 500 at primary level, Tk 600 at secondary level, Tk 700 at higher secondary level and Tk 1,200 for higher studies.
Grants are being paid to 86,400 orphans, with Tk 1,000 a month.
Citing a project to transfer allowances to beneficiaries electronically by 2021, Hasina said: “We want to ensure that the money reaches them directly.”
She shed light on different government projects to renovate orphanages and rejuvenate the Department of Social Services.
State Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed moderated the session.
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