Bangladesh has made significant achievements in development, PKSF Managing Director Dr Nomita Halder said Sunday, warning that despite the continued progress, discrimination, especially regional discrimination is on the rise.
“74 per cent of the Annual Development Budget for the ‘Housing and Civic Service’ sector went to six districts in FY 2021-2022, while the remaining 58 districts got only 26 per cent,” she said at the inaugural event of the PKSF Day 2022 at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka.
With the slogan ‘Towards Development with Equity,’ Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) observed PKSF Day 2022 through an elaborate programme at the KIB Auditorium.
Citing findings from a recent study, Dr Halder said Jhenaidah, Satkhira, Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and Barguna each got just 0.20 per cent of the budget, which is among the lowest, she said, underscoring the need for addressing this disparity.
Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi joined the event as chief guest via a video message., Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) at the Ministry of Finance Sharifa Khan was the special guest.
The event was presided over by PKSF Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad.
Dr QK Ahmad said the main goal of PKSF is to establish human dignity for all. At the heart of this approach is a nature of development that is inclusive, participatory and equitable.
“Apart from economic growth, we are working to develop human capacity as well,” the economist said.
In the opening speech, Dr Nomita Halder, also a former secretary, said PKSF was established by the Government of Bangladesh three decades ago to alleviate poverty through employment generation.
“Today, it is a family of 1.76 crore members, more than 90 per cent of whom are women,” she said.
“Everyone should work shoulder to shoulder to keep up the progress towards sustainable development and transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country,” Chief guest Dr Rizvi said.
Speaking on the occasion, former chairmen M Syeduzzaman and Dr Muhammed Farashuddin and former managing directors of PKSF Badiur Rahman, Dr Md Abdul Karim and Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah shared their experience and memories with PKSF. They were honoured with crests for their contribution to PKSF.
Members of PKSF’s current Board and Executive Directors of its Partner Organizations from across the country were also present at the event.
