PM inaugurates disbursement of cash aid to 50 lakh families

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched the disbursement of Taka 1,250 crore cash assistance among 50 lakh poor families hit hard amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The premier inaugurated the distribution of Taka 2,500 to each of the 50 lakh destitute families through mobile financial services (MFSs) from her official Ganabhaban residence on Thursday morning.

The total fund of Taka 1,250 crore will be distributed among the 50 lakh families through the mobile financial services (MFSs) - bKash, Rocket, Nagad and SureCash.

Through this cash support, nearly two crore people will directly be benefitted as on an average four members have been counted in each of 50 lakh families.

The total fund will be disbursed between May 14 and 18, and 10 lakh people will get the cash support through the MFSs every day.

Earlier on Monday, Finance Division has released Taka 1,257 crore for the cash assistance to the 50 lakh families. According to Finance Division officials, Taka 627 crore was disbursed for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from the Budget-1 wing while Taka 630 crore also for the PMO from Budget-3 wing. The PMO is supervising the operations of this initiative.

Nagad, a joint venture of the postal division and a private firm, will distribute the highest amount of Tk 425 crore, while market leader bKash will disburse Tk 375 crore, Rocket Tk 250 crore and SureCash Tk 200 crore, sources at the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry said.