The government through the Ministry of Social Welfare distributed Taka 18,52,59,600 among 51,461 elderly people as old age allowance in the district during the last 2012-2013 fiscal year, official sources said.Under the government’s comprehensive social safety net programme, the Department of Social Service (DSS) of the ministry distributed Taka 300 per month as old age allowance among each beneficiary older citizen to help them leading a better life.Under the programme, 6,988 male and female beneficiaries received Taka 2,51,56,800 in Sadar upazila, 2,615 beneficiaries received Taka 94,14,000 in Taraganj, 7,591 beneficiaries received Taka 2,73,27,600 in Pirganj and 5,655 beneficiaries received Taka 2,03,58,000 in Badarganj upazila.Besides, Taka 2,02,53,600 was distributed among 5,626 beneficiaries in Gangachara upazila, Taka 2,21,00,400 among 6,139 in Pirgachha, Taka 3,45,56,400 among 9,599 in Mithapukur, Taka 1,68,69,600 among 4,686 in Kawnia upazila and Taka 92,23,200 among 2,562 beneficiaries under Urban Community Development Programme in Rangpur city.Talking to BSS, beneficiaries Rita Banik of Lichubagan area and Pagalu Das of Pakpara area in the city said they have raised their living standard through properly utilising the allowances they have been getting in recent years.Rita Banik has been earning better livelihoods through sewing readymade garments at her home while Pagalu Das leading better life by earning from his fish business at Rangpur City Bazaar.“We request the present pro-people government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for increasing the monthly old age allowance rate to Taka 1,000 as minimum considering the present market prices of the daily essentials and cost of living,” they said.Deputy Director of DSS, Rangpur Harun Ar Rashid and its Acting Assistant Director Mosaddekur Rahman said the beneficiaries have been getting old age allowances timely through their own bank accounts in a hassle-free manner.The government has increased the monthly old age allowance rate at Taka 350 side by side raising the number of beneficiaries by 10 percent throughout the country from the current 2013-2014 fiscal to assist the elderly citizens of the country, they said. –BSS, Rangpur
