State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD &Cooperatives) M Mashiur Rahman Ranga yesterday said the number of the under privileged people under social safety net programme would increase by 96 lakh in the next fiscal year.

The state minister said this as the chief guest while he was addressing a function at the North South University (NSU) auditorium in the capital. “The present government has earmarked Tk 4317 crore in the national budget under the social safety net programme which will be utilized for the benefit of 67 lakh underprivileged people,” said the state minister. The government will increase the number of beneficiaries under the social safety net programme by 96 lakh in the next fiscal year, the state minister added.

Chaired by NSU social Services Club President Sabia Mumu, the programme was also addressed, among others, by Chairman of NSU’s Board of Directors MA Hashem, NSU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Atiqul Islam, Prof Mofassel Hossen and noted social worker Rubaba Dowla.