Pvt banks increase budget for purchase of winter clothes for the poor

Md Mazadul Hoque A number of private banks have increased their budget earmarked for purchase and distribution of winter cloths among the poor people during the on-going winter in the country. Social Islami Bank Ltd (SIBL) is gearing up warm clothes distribution in the northern region, where weather is the coldest. Deputy managing director of the bank, AMM Farhad told the FE, that the bank has allocated Tk 2.0 million for purchasing blankets and other warm clothes this winter. The bank last winter did not spend much but this season the management has raised the budget due to severe cold weather, Mr Farhad said. Mr Farhad also said 7,000 pieces blankets will be distributed in the new year and the number may be increased depending on the weather condition. Mercantile Bank is also increasing its expenditure on winter clothes this season by 100 per cent. Deputy managing director of the bank, Monindra Kumar Nath told the FE that the bank will be spending Tk 6.0 million for warm clothes this winter where the amount was Tk 3.0 million last winter. "We would distribute warm clothes among cold-hit people across the country and nearly 35,000 people would receive blankets", Mr Nath said. Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, is also likely to raise its budget this season by 100 per cent. Head of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) of the bank, AHM Latif Uddin told the FE that the bank's plan this season is to spend Tk 20 million for warm clothes. Last winter the budget was Tk 10 million , he said. "We may increase the budget size if cold weather persists for a longer time", AHM Latif Uddin added.