'Poverty rate to come down to 10pc in next five years'

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said poverty rate of Bangladesh would come down to 10 per cent if current government can get the mandate to govern the country for next five years.

The minister informed that Bangladesh’s poverty rate was 58 per cent in 1991, it came down to 24.3 per cent now, reports BSS.

"If the present government continues in the office for the next five years, poverty rate will come down to 10 percent,” he said.

The finance minister came up with his optimism while addressing a gathering of the members of the 'Ekti Bari, Ekti Khamar' and Palli Sanchay Bank project in Sylhet Sadar Upazila Parishad premises on Friday.

Muhith inaugurated five development projects of the Sylhet Sadar Upazila and laid foundation of seven other projects.

About the 10 per cent people living below the poverty line, the minister said only physically challenged people, widows and some other people will be included in this area under the project.

"They are getting all sorts of supports under the social safety net coverage like the developed countries," Muhith said.

The minister highlighted different development programmes undertaken in power sector by the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Power generation has already increased nearly six times and there is no power crisis in the country, he said, adding, “The living standard of mass people has also been changed significantly.”

The present government, Muhith said, has been working to change the fate of common people and in the last 10 years it has done a lot to this end and it needs more time to complete rest of the development works.”

Former ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations (UN) Dr AK Abdul Momen, managing director of Palli Sanchay Bank Akbar Hossain and Sylhet Upazila Parishad chairman Ashfaque Ahmed, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Sylhet Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sirajam Muniara presided over the programme.