Govt implements Tk 225.56bsafety-net programmes

RANGPUR, Dec 13 (BSS): The government has been implementing massive social safety-net programmes under 80 categories at Tk. 225.56b during the current 2011-2012 fiscal to alleviate poverty in the country. Divisional Commissioner Jashim Uddin Ahmed disclosed the information yesterday while addressing a regional workshop titled 'Needs for Successful and Effective Implementation of Social Safety Net Programmes' as the chief guest. Some 61 categories out of 80, of the programmes, are being implemented in Rangpur division to alleviate poverty and turn the poorer section people into human resources for achieving self- reliance through income generating activities, he said. RDRS Bangladesh organised the daylong workshop under its ongoing 'Empowering the Poor through Federations' project at Rangpur Zila Parishad Community Centre with its Director (Programme Coordination) Azizul Islam in the chair. District and upazila level GO-NGO officials and union parishad chairmen involved with implementation of social safety- net programmes, media workers and representatives of poorer section people from all over Rangpur division took part. Additional Divisional Commissioner (Rev) Narayan Chandra Barma, Delhi-based Representative of Dan Church Aid Ms. Seta Sharma and Director (Micro Credit) of RDRS Bangladesh Tapan Kumar Karmokar addressed as the special guests. Deputy Director of the Local Government Ranjit Kumar Das delivered the keynote presentation elaborately narrating the ongoing massive social safety-net programmes and its objectives in the workshop. Azizul Karim said Article-15 (Gha) of the Constitution has ensured every citizen in availing the government assistances as a part of their ensured social security rights under any situation including unemployment, illness, inability and poverty. To fulfill these Constitutional rights of the citizens, the government has built up massive social safety-net programmes and increasing its periphery every year to ultimately turn the poor into income-generating able human resources, he said. Identifying the hurdles being faced in the implementation process, the speakers stressed for proper coordination among all concerned departments, bodies and organizations in making these programmes more effective and successful. The social safety-net programmes have brought tremendous success in alleviating poverty and meeting emergency needs of the poor and affected people during calamities and better coordination with management could bring more achievements, they said.