At least 6,00,000 families, affected by the virulent COVID-19 infection, will get cash aid as a special incentive from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on May 2, said officials concerned of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
According to the PMO, each of the families will be provided with Tk 2,515 through mobile banking services like Nagad, bKash and Rocket.
Sources said, a letter signed by Deputy Secretary of Finance, Mohammad Anisuzzaman Khan was already sent to the Chief Accountant on Wednesday (April 28) in this regard.
It has also been mentioned in the letter that earlier in the first phase, cash aids were provided to around 50,00,000 families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials of the Finance Division said that those who were provided with the cash aid in the first phase will get cash assistance further in the second phase.
Besides, the cash assistance, each farmer will get Tk 5,000 this year and a list of affected farmers is being prepared.
Alongside cash aid, the government this year, like last year, has also taken various initiatives for the poor and other jobless people due to the lockdown.
According to sources, a large number of people have lost their jobs and many others have no jobs during the pandemic while the poor are facing financial hardships.
In the circumstances, the government has taken several initiatives to help those who have lost their jobs. The government is providing food to the poor, selling daily commodities at lower prices through TCB and providing financial assistances to farmers.
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
Officials concerned of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said the government has allotted over Tk 572 crore as cash aid to the poor and low-income people.
Under this program, about 1,24,41,900 families will get financial assistance under VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) program, they said.
They also said that the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is also thinking of providing the with food. Each of the families will get 10 kgs of rice, 1 litre oil, one kg pulse, five kgs potatoes and one kg salt.
PMO
Officials of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, apart from the cash aid from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also provide Tk 2,500 to Tk 5,000 as financial assistance to 36 lakh families affected by COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.
Awami League General Secretary, Obaidul Quader, also the Minister for Road, Transport and Bridges, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide this financial assistance to 36.25 lakh families as Eid festival gift like the last year.
Obaidul Quader also said that the beneficiaries will get the money through mobile banking.
Ministry of Food
Officials of the Ministry of Food said, in order to meet the basic food needs of low-income people, the open market sale (OMS) will continue to sell rice and flour at fair prices in the divisional and district levels.
They said, a total of 733 tonnes of rice and 796 tonnes of flour are being sold at 715 outlets through 715 OMS dealers across the country. This activity will continue six days a week except Fridays and public holidays.
Commerce Secretary Zafar Uddin said, despite the lockdown, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will continue to sell essential commodities at affordable prices by maintaining health rules.
He said, the TCB is selling six products through 500 mobile trucks every day across the country. Soybean oil is being sold at Tk 100 per kg, sugar, gram and lentil pulses at Tk 55 per kg and dates at Tk 80 per kg and onion at Tk. 20 per kg.
Ministry of Agriculture
The government is going to provide Tk 5,000 as cash aid to 1,00,000 farmers affected by the cyclone and heat wave in recent times.
Boro paddy has been damaged due to a sudden storm and intense heat wave in some parts of the country.
Officials concerned said, the farmers will get the money through mobile banking system.