Chattogram district level information meeting was held on the implementation of universal pension scheme. The main objective is to inform the general public about the Universal Pension Scheme program launched by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with the aim of bringing people from all walks of life under a sustainable and well-organised social security structure.
A district level information meeting was organized on the initiative of the Chattogram district administration at the Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTI) building on Thursday morning to implement the district universal pension scheme.
Chattogram District Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman presided over the event. Divisional Commissioner Md. Tofail Islam was present as the chief guest. Monir Hossain Chowdhury, Joint Secretary of Finance Department (Regulation-1) was present as the main discussant.
Around five hundred people including district level officials, public representatives, businessmen, journalists, transport workers, NGO workers, imams, priests, third gender and dignitaries gathered.
Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a specific announcement to introduce universal pension system in the budget session of 2012-2023 fiscal year. In continuation of which the Universal Pension Management Act, 2013 was passed by the Grand National Assembly with the objective of launching the Universal Pension Scheme.
He said, in the universal pension scheme, a beneficiary aged 18-50 years will enjoy lifelong pension benefits up to the age of 60 years and a beneficiary above 50 years of age will enjoy the pension benefits for a minimum of 10 years. There are total 04 schemes under universal pension. These are - Immigration, Progress, Protection, Equality.
The officers and employees working in government and autonomous organizations will be excluded from the coverage of public pension. Individuals covered by social security programs can participate in the scheme applicable to them.
However, the benefit of the concerned social security scheme shall be surrendered before participating in the scheme.
He gave a detailed presentation on this to everyone. After the presentation, he took questions from all present and immediately gave his possible answers.
Chief Guest Divisional Commissioner Md. Tofail Islam said that the current population of Bangladesh is about 17 crores. 62% of our total population is working.
If it is possible to bring the population above the age of 18 years under the universal pension scheme, they will be covered by a well-organized social security structure. A universal pension system will gradually improve our standard of living, increase per capita income, reduce the number of backward groups and ensure social security for the aging population. He therefore encouraged all involved to participate in the pension scheme.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman said, undoubtedly, this type of initiative is a blessing for a developing country like Bangladesh. Through this will come social financial well-being.
Hon'ble Prime Minister requested everyone to participate in this scheme to make this great initiative successful and implement and announced the end of the meeting by welcoming everyone present.