Govt to ensure home for all: PM

26,229 more houses distributed among homeless families

FE Team | Published: July 22, 2022 00:21:33

The government will ensure home for everyone irrespective of their political affiliation and views, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday.
She said it's her responsibility as Prime Minister to provide decent life to the countrymen.
She made the remarks at the handing over ceremony of houses to homeless people in five districts under the third phase of Ashrayan-2 Project, connecting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the city, reports BSS.
On the day, she distributed 26,229 more houses to homeless families of five places in the five districts connecting virtually from Ganabhaban with the venues located in Charkalakopa Ashrayan Project under Ramgati Upazila in Lakshmipur District, Gaurambha Ashrayan Project under Rampal Upazila in Bagerhat district, Char Velamari Ashrayan Project under Nandail Upazila in Mymensingh District, Mahan Para Ashrayan Project under Panchagarh Sadar Upazila in Panchagarh District and Jangalia Ashrayan Project under Mohammadpur Upazila in Magura district.
The prime minister also declared Magura and Panchagarh as landless-and-homeless free districts at the function.
Apart from nine upazilas of Magura and Panchagarh districts, she simultaneously announced another 43 upazilas of different districts across the country as landless-and-homeless free.
At the function, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League (AL), urged the AL and its all affiliated organisations, all political parties, administration, law enforcement agencies and public representatives to find out landless or homeless people, if any, in their respective areas to manage house for them.
She also regretted that the adverse impact of Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war with US sanctions on Russia caused problems for the government to procure fertiliser and food.
"Inflation shoots up worldwide, not only in Bangladesh. Prices of essentials have increased, scarcity of food is being seen across the globe, even the developed countries are facing the heat," she said.
In this connection, she noted, that even developed countries are maintaining austerity in power and fuel.
She went on saying that, "We are running our country quite well, but we have to be cautious from now on. We have taken cautionary measurers."
She urged all to save electricity, water, fuel and use every inch of land in food production.
"Whatever you want to do, just do it, so you could produce your own food. Then, we will not need to beg to anyone," she mentioned.
Talking about natural calamities like flood, the prime minister said that Bangladesh is the country of natural calamities and people of the country have to live with that.
She asked all to remain alert as there might be a flood in the southern region during the current monsoon season.
She again put emphasis on personal savings, food or money, to face any sort of calamities in the near future.
"We, as the government, are always beside you, if you remain alert, Insha Allah, we will be able to overcome any disaster and we have that ability," she added.
Regarding the houses which are being given to the homeless people, the Prome Minister said: "This is not just a house; it is the future, shelter and address of you, your family, and your next generation."
Reiterating that every people in the country will have a house and an address, she said, "Insha Allah we will be able to do that and I believe it."
At the outset of the ceremony, Asrayan Project Director Abu Saleh Mohammad Ferdous Khan made a presentation on the activities of the project.
A video documentary on Asrayan Project and homeless-and-landless people was screened.
Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function from Ganabhaban end.
The 52 upazilas, which are declared as homeless-free, are - Magura Sadar, Sreepur, Mohammadpur and Shalikha in Magura; Atwari, Panchagarh Sadar, Debiganj, Tetulia and Boda in Panchagarh; Nawabganj in Dhaka; Madaripur Sadar; Damudya in Shariatpur; Katiadi in Kishoreganj; Gopalpur in Tangail; Ghior and Saturia in Manikganj; Kalukhali in Rajbari; Nagarkanda in Faridpur; Madan in Netrokona; Bhaluka, Nandail, Fulbaria and Phulpur in Mymensingh; Bakshiganj in Jamalpur; Patiya, Karnaphuli, Satkania and Lohagara in Chattogram; Raipur and Ramganj in Laxmipur; Feni Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, Fulgazi and Parshuram in Feni; Gobindaganj in Gaibandha; Nawabganj in Dinajpur; Baliadangi in Thakurgaon; Dimla in Nilphamari; Raninagar in Naogaon; Panchbibi in Joypurhat; Mohonpur, Charghat and Bagha in Rajshahi; Nandigram and Dupchanchia in Bogura; Bagatipara in Natore; Ishwardi in Pabna; Shibganj in Chapainawabganj; Harinakundu in Jhenaidah; Tala in Satkhira; Kathalia in Jhalakathi and Dashmina in Patuakhali.