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BANGLA EPAPER 📍 Dhaka 📅 Saturday | 11 July 2026, 17 Poush 1376

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Aid must go to the truly needy, not based on political identity: State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad

Published : Saturday, 11 July, 2026 at 8:40 PM

Observer Online Report

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad has called for ensuring that government assistance is distributed to genuinely deserving and underprivileged people, rather than on the basis of political affiliation.

He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a doa mahfil held in memory of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, along with a distribution programme for bicycles, sewing machines, sarees and blood pressure (BP) monitors among meritorious students, poor families and healthcare workers in Panchagarh.

The state minister said government grants and assistance should be allocated based on genuine need and eligibility, not political or personal identity.

"Those who truly deserve government support must receive it. Assistance should reach the rightful beneficiaries without discrimination," he said.

Azad said that as a Member of Parliament, he has a responsibility to serve the people of Panchagarh, while as a state minister, he is equally responsible for the welfare of citizens across the country. He warned that making decisions based on political considerations could lead to the return of the discriminatory practices seen in the past.

Addressing party leaders, activists and government officials, he urged them to avoid favouritism and prioritise long-serving party workers and genuinely disadvantaged people.

"After becoming a minister, many new relatives appear. But it is the dedicated workers who have stood by the party for years who deserve proper recognition," he remarked.

Referring to the government's austerity measures, Azad said efforts are underway to reduce unnecessary public expenditure. He noted that strict policies have been adopted to curb spending on foreign tours, the purchase of new vehicles and other non-essential expenses.

Among those present at the programme were Deputy Commissioner Shukria Parveen, District Council Administrator Touhidul Islam, Superintendent of Police Abu Sayeem, Civil Surgeon Dr Mizanur Rahman, District Council Chief Executive Officer Anjan Kumar Sarkar, and Panchagarh BNP Convener Zahirul Islam Kachchu, along with other senior government officials.

-HIS

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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