Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon people of all classes and professions to work together to build a prosperous country free from hunger and poverty as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu by 2041.

She made the call in a message on Friday (January 1) on the occasion of ‘National Social Service Day-2021’.

PM said, “In the coming days, the leadership of the Ministry of Social Welfare will be more appreciated for protecting and promoting the rights of the destitute, helpless and disabled people of the country.”

Sheikh Hasina said, “The Awami League has always been working for the welfare of the poor and backward people of the country following the path shown by the Father of the Nation. During the tenure of 1996-2001, the number of jurisdictions, allocations and beneficiaries of the social security perimeter has been increased, including the introduction of old age, widow and disability allowances. Children (Amendment) Act 2018, Mental Health Act 2018, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act 2018, have been enacted.”

Mentioning that various types of grants have been given to social welfare organizations, PM said, “Special grants have been given to poor, helpless, disabled and poor meritorious students. Financial assistance is being provided for the socio-economic development of ethnic communities, families displaced by river erosion, slum dwellers, tea-garden workers and people living below the poverty line.”

Sheikh Hasina also mentioned that the Father of the Nation has given priority to the development of the backward people from the very beginning of the reconstruction of war-torn Bangladesh.