The Tk 28.83-crore second phase special Employment Generation Project for the Poorest (EGPP) ended successfully in Rangpur division last week benefiting 36,044 ultra-poor and distressed people, official sources said.
The government began implementation of the project activities through conducting infrastructural development works from April 26 last to create 40-day job opportunity for the poor, including distressed women, of all eight upazilas in the district.
Talking to BSS today, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) Abdus Salam said each of the beneficiaries earned wages of Taka 200 per day for five days in a week under the programme to earn a total of Taka 8,000 as wages for their 40-day works continued till the last week.
He said the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief had allocated the huge money under the government’s social safety networks for assisting the ultra-poor people to lead better life through earning wages from conducting infrastructural development works.
Under the programme, Taka 1.41 crore was allocated for 1,767 beneficiaries of Sadar upazila, Taka 3.11 crore for 3,858 beneficiaries of Kawnia, Taka 6.19 crore for 7,743 beneficiaries of Mithapukur and Taka 4.70 crore for 5,887 beneficiaries of Pirganj upazilas.
Besides, Taka 3.80 crore was allocated for 4,754 beneficiaries of Pirgachha, Taka 3.86 crore for 4,835 beneficiaries of Badarganj, Taka 1.49 crore for 2,372 beneficiaries of Taraganj and Taka 3.83 crore for 4,789 beneficiaries of Gangachara upazilas this time.
“Each of the card-holder beneficiaries earned their weekly wages of Taka 1,000 for five days on every Thursday leaving Taka 125 as savings in their own bank accounts opened with Taka 10 only,” the DRRO said.
Under the programme, the beneficiaries conducted development works like earth-filling, renovating and repairing of bridges, culverts, roads, water-bodies, ponds, canals, educational and religious institutions, cleaning of weeds, preparing compost heaps and other activities, he said.
Talking to BSS, beneficiaries Moynul Islam, Aminul Haque, Sabiha Begum, Fulkoli Khatun, Kalpona and Mahmudul Haque of different villages said they were highly benefited through earning Taka 1,000 every week under the just ended EGPP programme.
Beneficiaries Mariam Begum, Bulbuli, Rasheda Khatun, Shadhona Rani, Marina Begum and Alfaz Ali said the programme assisted them in making some deposits and they are working in farmlands and other places now after completion the EGPP to earn wages per day to lead normal life now.
