MoF releases Tk 12.5b for cash support programme

The ministry of finance (MoF) released on Monday Tk 12.50 billion to provide cash support for five million poor families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The beneficiaries will receive Tk 2,500 each to meet their needs, as they are facing dire financial hardships during the ongoing shutdown linked to the Covid-19 crisis.

The fund, according to a senior finance ministry official, was released in favour of the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the disbursement of the fund on Thursday.

People who are presently out of the purview of the government's various social safety net programmes will be benefitted from the cash support initiative.

Day labourers, rickshaw pullers, van drivers, construction workers, agriculture workers, shop employees, poultry sector workers, transport sector workers, footpath hawkers and low-income people from all strata of society have been selected to get the benefit.

The disbursement of the fund is expected to be complete before the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival.

As low-income people are going through severe financial crisis having failed to earn a living during the shutdown, the Prime Minister announced last month that they would be provided with cash support. The money will be sent to the beneficiaries through mobile financial services such as bKash, Rocket, Nagad and SureCash.

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