Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said allowances being provided under the social safety net programmes are not meant to run the whole family or make one reluctant about work.

‘These allowances are just to ensure that no one suffers from starvation, but nobody should stay away from work,’ she said, reports the UNB.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of electronically distribution of allowances to 115,088 beneficiaries under social safety net programmes of the Social Welfare Ministry through a videoconference at her official residence Ganobhaban.

She said those who are getting the money and have the capability to work must work for earning. ‘We have ensured that, we will give you a certain amount that will ensure your food, but you have to work along with that.’

The Prime Minister said the government has given that scope as well. ‘Otherwise, people will get dependent on the allowances; they will be reluctant about going to work... we don’t want that,’ she said.

Criticising a section of people who thinks that the amount of the allowances will be so big so that they can meet their full family expenses, she said these section of people do not have any idea about society.

‘We will not take the responsibility to run a full family with these allowances; we will provide a certain amount so that you don’t have to suffer from starvation,’ she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government will help people to be self-dependent and these allowances will be given for any crisis moment so that they don’t suffer,’ she said.

Regarding the upcoming election, she said, ‘Her party’s return to power is solely dependent on the Almighty Allah and people; if people give their mandate in favour of us we will get back to power.’

But, Hasina said, she wants to make her development programmes secure. ‘I want to do that because I want no one to play with the fate of people.’

State Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.

Social Welfare Secretary Md Zillar Rahman made a power-point presentation on the beneficiaries under the social safety net.

Later, the Prime Minister talked to the beneficiaries in Gopalganj, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj and Chapainawabganj through the videoconference.