DEBIGANJ, PANCHAGARH, June 21: State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad on Sunday said the government is working relentlessly to improve the living standard of marginalised communities through education, employment and social safety net programmes.
He said government support initiatives for disadvantaged groups, including small ethnic communities, would continue in the future.
The state minister made the remarks while addressing a programme as the chief guest on the Debiganj Upazila Parishad premises in Panchagarh. The event, organised by the upazila administration, distributed bicycles, sewing machines, education stipends and goats among members of small ethnic communities and underprivileged families.
Under the Special Area Development Assistance Programme, Azad handed over three bicycles, two sewing machines and 60 goats to beneficiaries.
Education stipends were also distributed among students. Ten students from Classes III to V received Tk 3,000 each, amounting to Tk 30,000. Six students from Classes VI to X were given Tk 5,000 each, totalling Tk 30,000, while two students from Classes XI and XII received Tk 7,000 each, amounting to Tk 14,000.
Addressing the gathering, the state minister said he had been elected as a representative of all voters and stressed that government grants and assistance should be distributed impartially, regardless of political affiliation.
"Anyone who qualifies for government assistance should receive it, irrespective of which political party they support," he said.
He also urged leaders and activists to ensure that government support reaches genuine beneficiaries through a fair selection process.
Among others present at the programme were Upazila Nirbahi Officer Indrajit Saha, Principal of Debiganj Government College Akhtar Hossain, Acting Principal of Debiganj Women's College Rezaul Islam, Resident Medical Officer of Debiganj Upazila Health Complex Dr Bimal Chandra, Debiganj Upazila BNP President Abdul Gani Bosunia, Municipal BNP President Sarkar Faridul Islam, General Secretary Ashraful Alam Sohel, chairmen of different Union Parishads, political leaders, government officials, teachers, students and beneficiaries.
At the end of the programme, education stipend cash was distributed among students, while bicycles and sewing machines were handed over to members of small ethnic communities and goats to destitute families.
