The Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed her firm conviction that the present government would ensure home for everyone, irrespective of their political affiliation and views, saying it’s her responsibility as prime minister to provide decent life for countrymen.
‘If anyone has information about the landless or homeless, please let us know. Irrespective of their political affiliation and views, we will provide houses for those who are homeless. We will also arrange the address and livelihood for them,’ she said.
The prime minister said that there might be differences in views and opinions, but, it did not matter as ‘the country is ours. And I am the prime minister of Bangladesh, that means, I am responsible for every citizen of Bangladesh’.
She made the remarks at the handing over ceremony of 26,229 more houses to homeless people of five places in five districts under the third phase of Ashrayan-2 Project, connecting virtually from her official residence at Ganabhaban in Dhaka in the morning.
Sheikh Hasina said that even if there were differences in ideals, opinions, and beliefs, the main identity of a human being was human and that was how she considered people.
She continued, ‘I see human being as a human and I want every person to have a decent life. That is my father’s lesson. That’s why I want to provide a good livelihood to every person in this country.’
The prime minister also declared Magura and Panchagarh as landless-and-homeless free districts at the function.
Apart from the nine upazilas of Magura and Panchagarh, she simultaneously announced another 43 upazilas in different districts across the country as landless-and-homeless free.
The 52 upazilas, which are declared as homeless-free, are — Magura sadar, Sripur, Mohammadpur and Shalikha in Magura, Atwari, Panchagarh sadar, Debiganj, Tetulia and Boda in Panchagarh, Nawabganj in Dhaka, Madaripur sadar, Damudya in Shariatpur, Katiadi in Kishoreganj, Gopalpur in Tangail, Ghior and Saturia in Manikganj, Kalukhali in Rajbari, Nagarkanda in Faridpur, Madan in Netrokona, Bhaluka, Nandail, Phulpur and Fulbaria in Mymensingh, Bakshiganj in Jamalpur, Patiya, Karnaphuli, Satkania and Lohagara in Chattogram, Raipur and Ramganj in Lakshmipur, Feni sadar, Chhagalnaiya, Fulgazi and Parshuram in Feni, Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Nawabganj in Dinajpur, Baliadangi in Thakurgaon, Dimla in Nilphamari, Raninagar in Naogaon, Panchbibi in Joypurhat, Mohonpur, Charghat and Bagha in Rajshahi, Nandigram and Dupchanchia in Bogura, Bagatipara in Natore, Ishwardi in Pabna, Shibganj in Chapainawabganj, Harinakundu in Jhenaidah, Tala in Satkhira, Kathalia in Jhalakathi and Dashmina in Patuakhali.
The prime minister also said that it was the responsibility of the beneficiaries to protect the houses that had been given to them.
She asked them to develop their lives by availing of professional training that the government was providing to them and by exploring their income sources.
In this connection, she mentioned that even developed countries are maintaining austerity in power and fuel.
Sheikh Hasina went on saying that, ‘We are running our country quite well, but we have to be cautious from now on. We have taken cautionary measurers.’
She urged all to save electricity, water, and fuel and to use every inch of land for food production.
‘Whatever you want to do, just do it, so you could produce your own food. Then, we will not need to beg anyone,’ she added.
