RANGPUR, Jan 2, 2023 (BSS) - High officials at a discussion today said massive social welfare services being provided to backward people are helping to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) leaving nine behind.

     They expressed the view at the event organized by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in observance of the National Social Services Day-2023 at the Shilpokola Academy auditorium in the city.

     Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan inaugurated observance of the day by releasing a balloon, distributed assistance among distressed people, addressed the discussion and witnessed a cultural function as the chief guest.

     Officials of the DSS and other government departments, executives of different NGOs and organizations working for the welfare of physically challenged and unprivileged people, civil society members and elite were present.

     Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Chitralekha Nazneen, Divisional Director of the DSS Abdul Motaleb Sarker, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crimes) of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Md. Abu Maruf Hossain, Civil Surgeon Dr. Shamim Ahmed and Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin and Finance) Madhusudan Roy addressed the event as special guests.

     Deputy Director of the DSS Md. Abdul Matin delivered a welcome speech.

     Abdul Matin discussed the massive social welfare activities, including social safety-net works, allowances and training programmes, being implemented by the government to ensure inclusive development of all people leaving none behind.

     The speakers appreciated the DSS for properly implementing all social welfare activities contributing to cutting poverty and improving the living standard of socially backward, poor, distressed and physically challenged and unprivileged people.

     The extensive social welfare activities being implemented by the DSS are effectively helping the poor, distressed and backward people in tackling the crises caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War to lead normal life.

     The chief guest called for aptly implementing the social welfare service programmes to reach benefits to the targeted people and ensure their comprehensive progress to achieve the SDGs by 2030 on time for building a developed Bangladesh by 2041.