Special area development assistance, houses, bicycles and stipends were distributed to the small ethnic groups in Gurdaspur upazila of Natore district on Wednesday.
During 2023-24 financial year, four houses, eight bicycles and stipends of Tk 3.14 lakh for 64 students were given under the project, which is being implemented by the Prime Minister's office. The construction cost of each house was Tk 3.09 lakh.
Through this programme, stipends and bicycles have been provided for the boys and girls of small ethnic groups while homesteads have been built for their families. Small ethnic groups live in Chapila and Nazirpur Unions of the upazila. Therefore, the support is given among the students of the two unions and their families.
Lawmaker from Natore-4 constituency Dr Siddiqur Rahman Patwari was present as the chief guest at the event while Upazila Nirbahi Officer Salma Akhtar presided over it. Upazila Chairman Ahmed Ali Mollah, Woman Vice-chairman Sahida Akhter Mita, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Asadul Islam, Project Implementation Officer Abdul Hannan, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Ratan Chandra Saha, Livestock Officer Dr Alamgir Hossain, Agriculture Officer Harunor Rashid, Upazila Engineer Milan Mia, BADC Assistant Engineer Saidur Rahman and Mashinda UP Chairman Abdul Bari, among others, were present as special guests.
Dr Siddiqur Rahman Patwari, MP, said, "This development assistance project will play an important role in improving the quality of life of the people of minority communities. It is a great initiative of our government, which will ensure their overall development."
The special guests in their speeches highlighted the importance of such developmental activities and hoped for more such initiatives in the future. At the end of the event, development assistance, including houses, bicycles and stipends, were distributed.
