DHAKA, Jan 2, 2023 (BSS) - Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed today said the government has been implementing different initiatives and programme to build poverty and hunger free 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041.

He was addressing as the chief guest a function marking the National Social Service Day 2023 and distribution of National Human Welfare Award at the Department of Social Services (DSS) auditorium at Agargaon here.

Nuruzzaman said the government has been making its strides to alleviate poverty through implementing different programmes under social safety net.

Once these programmes are implemented, several crore people will come out from poverty line, he said.
 
State Minister for Social Welfare and valiant freedom fighter Md Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry Rashed Khan Menon addressed the award distribution ceremony as special guests with Social Welfare Secretary Md Jahangir Alam in the chair.

DSS Director General Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal presented the keynote paper in the function. 
 
Nuruzzaman Ahmed said smart technology has been introduced in implementing different programmes of the ministry.
 
Over one crore allowance recipients and over five crore beneficiaries are directly under the coverage of services of the ministry, he said, adding that in future the huge number of people will come out from the poverty line.
 
Terming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the symbol of humanity, he said she has been dubbed as the 'mother of humanity' for providing shelter to forcibly displaced Rohingya people of Myanmar.
 
This humanitarian step of the premier is rare in the world, he said.
 
On the perspective of the incident, the social welfare ministry introduced the human welfare award, he said. 
 
Later, the minister hander over Human Welfare Award 2022 and 2021 among the recipients.