Dhaka, June 11, 2024 (BSS): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that the free houses provided under the Ashrayan project have instilled confidence and dignity among homeless and landless people.
She remarked, “We have already rehabilitated people in various places by providing free houses through the Ashrayan project. This has brought changes in their lives, restoring their confidence and sense of dignity, which is essential for a country’s development.”
The Prime Minister made these remarks while inaugurating the handover of houses to 18,566 landless and homeless families under the Ashrayan project via a virtual ceremony from her official residence, Ganabhaban, this morning.
Sheikh Hasina said, “We have given these houses as Eid gifts.”
She emphasized that her government’s goal is to serve the people of the country. “Because the people of the country have faith in the Awami League, they have repeatedly voted us into power,” she added.
Referring to the 2008 election where the Awami League won 233 seats independently, she said, “The people of Bangladesh had trust and confidence in us. Hence, it is our responsibility to serve those who have placed their trust in us.”
The Prime Minister continued, “Just as my father declared himself a servant of the people of Bangladesh, I follow in his footsteps and consider serving the people my duty.”
Sheikh Hasina asserted that Bangladesh, achieved through the blood of countless martyrs, can never lag behind. “We must move Bangladesh forward. The people of this country will be freed from hunger and poverty. Every individual’s life will be beautiful—that is our goal, which we are working towards.”
Additionally, she mentioned the recent cyclone or tidal surge (Rimel) that affected thousands of people. “We have already compiled lists of how many houses have been completely destroyed and how many partially damaged. We will build new houses for those who have been completely affected and assist in rebuilding the houses of the partially affected.”
The Prime Minister assured, “We are standing by those affected by this natural disaster. We are meeting immediate needs and will ensure new houses for those whose homes have been damaged. We have already taken preparations accordingly, collected information from every area, and will send assistance based on that.”
Sheikh Hasina virtually connected with the beneficiaries in Kaliganj Upazila of Lalmonirhat, Eidgaon Upazila of Cox’s Bazar, and Char Fashion Upazila of Bhola through video conference, handing over land ownership documents and houses through local administration and representatives. She also exchanged views with them afterward.
In the second phase of the fifth stage of the Ashrayan-2 project, she handed over houses to 18,566 homeless and landless families and declared 70 upazilas, including all upazilas of 26 districts, free from land and homelessness.
With the newly declared land and homeless-free districts and upazilas, the total number across the country now stands at 58 districts and 464 upazilas.
Previously, in the first phase of the Ashrayan-2 project, the Prime Minister distributed 63,999 houses, followed by 53,330 in the second phase, 59,133 in the third phase, and 39,365 in the fourth phase.
Under the project, each landless and homeless family is given ownership of 2.5 decimals of land with a semi-pucca house, jointly owned by husband and wife. Each house includes two bedrooms, a kitchen, a toilet, and a veranda.
According to project details, a total of 266,012 landless and homeless families have been rehabilitated in the first, second, third, fourth, and first phase of the fifth stage of the Ashrayan-2 project.
