PM Announces Cash Assistance for Jobless before Eid

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced on Monday that the government will provide cash assistance before Eid to alleviate the misery of those unemployed in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.

"We want to give cash assistance ahead of the Eid to those who have lost their employment as a consequence of the national closure of the coronavirus pandemic to mitigate their suffering ... we will do it to ensure their food protection," she said.

The Prime Minister made the announcement while sharing views with the public representatives and officials of the eight districts of Rangpur on the present coronavirus condition of the country via a videoconference from her official residence in Ganabhaban.

The districts are Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur and Gaibandha.

The Prime Minister has declared a suspension of realizing bank interest for two months and also indicated that the existing government holidays will be extended until 15 May in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has directed to open haats-bazzars (markets) and shops so the people do not face any problem to have iftar and sehri and they can buy goods as the Eid-ul-Fitr is ahead.

The Prime Minister said that to keep the wheels of the economy turning, the government has directed the re-opening of small and medium-sized factories throughout the country by shielding citizens and paying attention to their welfare.

“We’ve already reopened the offices and courts in a limited scale so that the people don’t suffer in getting services,” she said.

The premier said the government stopped the movement of buses, launches and trains alongside the flights considering the situation arising out of coronavirus outbreak.

“But we’ve resumed the operation of rail services in a limited scale for the convenience of the people and postal parcel service,” she said.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said these will have to be done by avoiding mass gathering as there is a chance of spreading the disease further for this.

“All will have to maintain social distancing and avoid mass gathering as there is a scope to be infected for violating these rules,” she said.

While talking about payment of bank loan interests, the prime minister said many people have already taken bank loans – ranging from big to small amounts.

"But their loan value has been postponed for two months because they haven't had work and company over the last two months because of the pandemic," she said.

"We must take the next measures to address the concerns that have emerged as to the amount of the loan and for which sector."

Source: BSS