Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide financial assistance to some 36 lakh families who have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and recent natural disasters.

The 36 families include 35 lakh low income ones engaged in different occupations but hit hard by the current coronavirus situation and the rest one lakh are farmers affected by recent natural disasters.

Tk 2,500 will be provided as cash support to 35 lakh families, while Tk 5,000 each will be given to one lakh farmer families, said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.

The government will spend total Tk 930 crore to disburse cash money among some 36 lakh families as the allocation for Covid-hit low-income families is Tk 880 crore and for disaster-affected farmers is Tk 50 crore.

Also read: COVID-19 Fallout: Govt’s response to ensure financial stability

Out of 30,94,249 hectares of crop land in 36 districts, 10,301 hectares of cropland was completely destroyed and 59,327 hectares of cropland was partially damaged due to strong winds, hailstorms and cyclones on April 4, 2021. Some 100,000 farmers were directly affected due to the recent disaster, according to the data of the Department of Agricultural Extension.

In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended to provide Tk 5,000 to each farmer as they are affected by double blows – natural calamity and Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry has already started enlisting the one lakh farmers incorporating their names, national identity card number and mobile number in the list. The actual allocation for the farmers can be more or less depending on the number of farmers in the final list.

In the 2019-20 fiscal year, the government disbursed Tk 2,500 as cash aid to each 35 lakh families scrutinizing a list of 50 lakh families hit hard by the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The allocation for providing cash support to the poor families was Tk 1257.50 crore.

Also read: PM provides financial support to families of N’ganj blast victims

The Prime Minister in May 2020 inaugurated the disbursement of cash support through G2P (Government-to-Person) through mobile financial services (MFSs).     

In the wake of the 2nd wave of coronavirus, the government has been enforcing Covid-19 lockdown since April 14 last in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

In this context, the ministry concerned recommended providing Tk 2,500 as cash aid to each 35 lakh families this time.