The government aims to build a humanitarian Bangladesh through collective efforts, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain has said, emphasising the need for a proactive role to improve the lives of disadvantaged populations.
The minister made the remarks at an exchange of views with divisional officials at the Social Service Office in Agaragaon on Tuesday, where State Minister Farzana Sharmin was also present.
“The Ministry of Social Welfare has an extensive scope of work nationwide. Due to a lack of proactive role, the standard of living of disadvantaged populations has not improved,” Zahid Hossain said.
He stressed that it is the ministry’s duty to rehabilitate neglected populations by providing training in various trades. “Alongside skills, we have placed emphasis on language education training so that they can develop themselves as an employable force in society.”
Responding to journalists’ questions, the minister said the upcoming budget will see significant expansion of Family Cards, Farmer Cards, and work in the religious sector, with increased allocations for social security. The grant for treatment of complex diseases has been doubled from Tk50,000 to Tk1 lakh, and the allocation for this sector has been proposed to increase from Tk300 crore to Tk600 crore.
Noting that BNP’s election manifesto has become a national responsibility, Zahid Hossain said approximately 40 lakh 20 thousand people will be brought under the Family Card scheme in the coming year. The government is also working to transform orphaned children into skilled manpower, not just provide shelter.
The minister said orphans will receive education, skills, and job-oriented training along with necessary equipment for self-reliance – sewing machines for tailoring trainees and computers for those receiving IT training. Language education is also being integrated with caregiving training to enhance employment opportunities at home and abroad.
Regarding disabled persons, he said, “Disability does not determine a person’s overall capability. With proper training and skill development, they too can make significant contributions to society.”
Zahid Hossain said a three-day brainstorming session is being organised to make existing systems more effective, with a final work plan to be implemented from 1 July.
