Tk 1. 20 cr poverty alleviation programme in Nilphamari
With the noble objective in view, ASA launched an ambitious 1. 20 crore taka poverty alleviation project in the Monga (a femine-like situation) affected areas in September last year.
Under the programme, 3,000 ultra-poor people in seven unions in the district have changed fate following receipt of 30 lakh taka soft loan, according to ASA team leader Khademul Islam. Islam told this while he was addressing a meeting to exchange opinion with journalists recently.
Availing of the opportunity, a few beneficiaries started small business while others opted for tailoring, paddy crushing, making fried rice, cakes and manufacturing handicrafts. They earn good profits by selling their products in markets.
The ASA team leader further disclosed that 90 lakh taka would be distributed among 8,000 ultra-poor people by June this year.
To monitor the programme, ASA President Shafiqul Huq Chowdhury and former health minister and Gono Swastho Project Co-ordinator Zafrullah Chowdhury visited the project intervention area recently.
During the visit, they went straightaway to the beneficiaries' cottages and become aware about the prospect of the project.
On conclusion of the visit, the ASA president declared his intention to further expand the project. He asked the field level officials to form a committee to find out ways to make the loan distribution programme more dynamic and easy. He directed the officials to submit reports of their findings within 15 days.
Finally, he announced a plan to implement a long-term self- employment programme to combat Monga in the affected areas in near future.
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