Truly needy should get aid, not party loyalists: State Minister Azad

DEBIGANJ, PANCHAGARH, Nov 6: State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad has urged local leaders to ensure that government assistance reaches genuinely destitute people, regardless of their political affiliation, family ties or religion.

He made the call at a programme to distribute corrugated iron sheets and cheques for house construction under his special allocation at the Debiganj Upazila Parishad auditorium on Friday morning.

Addressing party leaders and activists, the state minister said assistance should be provided only to those who genuinely deserve government support.

"Ensure that those who are genuinely eligible for government assistance receive it. This will strengthen people's confidence in our government. It will also increase public trust in me and in all of you who hold leadership positions in society," he said.

The programme began at 11:00am, with 47 individuals each receiving one bundle of corrugated iron sheets and Tk 3,000 in cash.

Two institutions also received one bundle of corrugated iron sheets and Tk 6,000 each.

The state minister stressed the importance of fairness in selecting beneficiaries, saying that political identity, personal relationships or religious considerations should not influence the distribution of government assistance.

He said ensuring that support reaches the genuinely needy would help build public confidence in the government and local leadership.

Debiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Indrajit Saha, upazila BNP President Abdul Gani Basunia, Joint General Secretary Toukir Ahmed Tuhin, municipal BNP President Sarker Faridul Islam and other party leaders were present at the programme.