United News of Bangladesh

As economic activities came to a grinding halt amid the nationwide shutdown aimed at curbing the transmission of coronavirus, tenants in Dhaka and other cities urged the government to waive house rents and utility bills for three months from April.   Many say they are out of job and do not have enough to feed their families. With the situation showing no sign of improvement, they say they are worried about their survival.   Small businessmen also requested the government to forgo utility bills to help them survive and continue business.   During the shutdown, the low-income group who live from hand to mouth, such as rickshaw pullers, transport workers, day-labourers, hawkers, transport workers, employees of hotels, restaurants and different shops, markets, among others, have been hit the hardest.