Cash support: Govt to give Tk 2500 to each of 5m families

The government is going to provide one-time cash support of Tk 2500 to 5 million low income families affected by coronavirus.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the cash support programme on 14 May.

The government will spend Tk 12.50 billion under this programme. Money will be sent through the mobile financial services.

The finance ministry and the disaster management and relief ministry have confirmed this to Prothom Alo.

Speaking to Prothom Alo on Saturday, state minister for disaster management and relief Enamur Rahman said a list of 5 million families mostly affected by coronavirus has been made to provide a cash support of Tk 2500 to each family.

The money will be provided before Eid, he added.

The list includes rickshaw pullers, van drivers, day labourers, construction workers, agricultural labour, transport workers and hawkers.

When asked about the process of making the list, Brahmanbaria deputy commissioner Hayat Khan said a committee made the list. The committee comprises union the parishad chairman, members, respected persons and government officials.

Former adviser to the caretaker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam appreciated the government’s initiative.

He, however, emphasised on the transparency of making the list.

“It was noticed in the past that the list was made on political consideration. As a result, genuine recipients were deprived,” he told Prothom Alo.