DHAKA, April 29, 2024 (BSS) - The number of registration to the Universal

Pension Scheme in the country has crossed a new milestone of one lakh thanks
to the proactive role of the authorities concerned.

Earlier on August 17, 2023, the Universal Pension Scheme rolled out in the
country by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in order to ensure a sustainable and
well organized social security to the elderly community of the country to
materialize the dream of building discrimination less society, as dreamt by
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The pension scheme was initially launched in four titles namely-- 'Probash',
'Pragati', 'Surokkha' and 'Samota'. Later, a new scheme titled 'Prottoy' has
been introduced for the officials and employees of the self-governed,
autonomous and state-owned enterprises which will come into effect for the
staff of such bodies joining from July 1, 2024, said a press release.

The release said that the field administration has been involved actively to
reach the benefits of the universal pension scheme to the doorsteps of common
people. Formed by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), 'Universal pension
operations implementation and coordination committees' have been formed at
national, divisional, district and upazila level while the field
administration has been given specific directives.

Besides, the officials of the PMO have been given the task of division-wise
monitoring of such operations for which divisional commissioners, deputy
commissioners, UNOs have been regularly monitoring the registration
activities to the scheme at divisional, district and upazila level.

Steps have also been taken to involve people from all strata to the pension
scheme through organizing fairs and workshops at divisional level. Already
such pension fair and workshop was held on April 19 at Rajshahi while such
kind of fair and workshop would be held in rest of the seven divisions.

Sufficient number of fliers and booklets has been sent to the field
administration for distributing those among the common people for creating
awareness on pension scheme while such activities would continue.

Besides, initiatives have been taken to involve the entrepreneurs of the
Union Digital Centers and due to the cumulative results of such initiatives,
the number of registration to the universal pension scheme reached a new
milestone of one lakh.

So far, Taka 42 crore has been invested at treasury bond, considered as a
safe source of investment, from the subscribed amount of the pensioners while
such pace in the registration process to the universal pension scheme would
continue.

The concept of the universal pension scheme has been popularizing day by day
in order to ensure financial security of the citizens of the developing
countries, according to the release.

Considering such global context, the present Awami League government has
rolled out the Universal Pension Scheme to provide financial security to the
elderly people at their later stage of life.

Such kind of initiative by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has become an epoch
making welfare-oriented step in the history of Bangladesh which would be
regarded as the 'charter of financial emancipation' during the post
retirement life of all citizens.

In this continued process, Bangladesh would emerge as a more welfare-oriented
state.

Mentionable, each and every operation of the universal pension scheme from
registration to monthly subscription is being processed at digital IT
platform which would play a strong role in building a smart and prosperous
Bangladesh by 2041 as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.