RAJSHAHI, June 9, 2024 (BSS)- People of various marginalized communities, including ethnic minorities, transgender, dalit and horizon, gathered knowledge about the aspects of Sarbojanin Pension Scheme (Universal Pension Scheme).

 They got the ideas after taking part in a daylong workshop along with its group discussions expressing their interest in their engagement in the scheme for their welfare and betterment.

On behalf of its 'Ensuring Transparency and Accountability of Social Protection Programs (SPPS)' project, Wave Foundation organized the workshop on universal pension schemes at Victoria Convention Hall in Rajshahi city today.

Wave Foundation Deputy Director Kaniz Fatema and SPPS Project Coordinator Meer Mustaque Ahmed addressed the opening session as resource persons expressing their expertise on the issue. Divisional Facilitator of Wave Foundation Manuel Tu du also spoke.

Ahmed Borhan, Consultant of Wave Foundation, conducted the training sessions talking about the benefits of the scheme together with illustrating its background consisting of aims and objectives through multimedia presentation.

He said the contribution towards pension will be treated as investment and eligible for tax concession and the monthly pension will be free from income tax.

 Government will pay part of the subscription for the insolvent and those are of low-income threshold.

 He also said the government has already started its activities by establishing the National Pension Authority.

 The Universal Pension Management System has been developed on a complete IT platform in line with the implementation of the Hon'ble Prime Minister's goal to achieve 'Smart Bangladesh'.

Taking part in four separate group discussions, the community people put forward a set of recommendations on how to make the scheme more effective for them so that they can be engaged themselves properly.