



Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government is going to introduce general rationing system so that all sections of people can cope with the prices of essentials like rice, pulses, oils and baby foods.

She disclosed the plan while addressing the members of Bangladesh Ansar and the Village Defence Party (VDP) at the Ansar-VDP Academy in Shafipur.

The prime minister also announced a package programme enhancing allowance for the Ansar members and assigning them to new roles in rural development and peacekeeping.

Announcing a number of facilities and benefits for the country's 4.9 million Ansar and VDP members, the prime minister said daily allowance of the attached Ansar members will be fixed at minimum Tk 180.

The prime minister also directed the authorities concerned to take steps to implement this decision “immediately”.

Elaborating the new universal rationing system, she said, “We are considering providing ration for all. Whatever the wage of a person, he will be entitled to purchase rice, pulses, oils and baby milk under the general rationing system.”

She said all beneficiaries will have to follow a 'limit' in getting the services under the government rationing system.

As she wanted to know about problems of Ansar and VDP, some senior officers demanded of the premier to give them “self-commanding power”, include them in the UN peacekeeping mission and give them authority of investigation like the police department for “ensuring justice” in the rural areas.

In reply, Hasina said the government is considering setting up a separate structure for investigation within the police department. Ansar can be made a part of that separate investigation structure, she added.

She directed the home ministry to think what can be done to accommodate Ansar and VDP in the envisaged separate investigation mechanism.

About the demand regarding UN mission, she said though the choice of forces for sending in the peacekeeping missions totally depends on the UN authorities, she herself would look into the matter and try to take steps.

Hasina stressed the need for identifying fields of demands for human resources on the international market and sending abroad well-trained workforce.

She suggested the Ansar and VDP authorities to set up a Nursing Training Institute in the Ansar-VDP Academy Hospital as such initiative will help create employment opportunities for the Ansar-VDP women members.

The country could earn huge foreign currency by sending skill nurses to different countries as house-keeping jobs are now widely acclaimed and standard jobs abroad, she said.

The PM also inaugurated the newly installed operation theatre of Bangladesh Ansar Academy Hospital.

Sheikh Hasina noted that a new dimension in security paradigm has emerged in the present-day world and said Bangladesh would have to attain competence in military sector to fit in the new order.

Also, she said, the nation needs to be built as a well-organised one imbued with a strong spirit of patriotism.

She told the function that the government will reform and modernise the Ansar and VDP by providing professional training and infrastructural development, including removing vehicle problems and increasing budgetary allocation for the development of human resources.

Hasina said she has a personal thinking about creating a trained, conscious and patriotic citizenry in every village through the nation-building activity of the Ansar-VDP force.

“From now, you (Ansar, VDP) will play the key role in implementing all development and service programmes in the villages as government representatives,” she said.

She urged the Ansar commanders, VDP's union and village team leaders to create anti-terrorism public opinion to establish the rule of law.

She asked them to help bring the “derailed” youths into the path of light.

“You will be the pathfinders for the rural people who will attain qualities of a good citizen, establish the qualities in own families and spread these to other families of the village,” she said.

By doing this, Ansar and VDP will create thousands of laborious, honest and sacrificing citizens across the country, she said, redefining their roles.

She urged the officers to take various innovative programmes to implement government's aim of building a modern digital Bangladesh by the year 2021.

Earlier, the prime minister addressed the 29th National Rally of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at the parade ground of the Shafipur Ansar Academy.

On her arrival at the academy, Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun received the prime minister who inspected the parade of a smart contingent of Ansar and VDP members and took salute riding on an open car.

The prime minister was given a crest by the Ansar and VDP and she also gave the department a crest.

She distributed President Ansar and VDP medals to three members for their heroic role against various crimes.

The three members are Abdur Rahim and Abdus Sabur (President Ansar Medal) and Abdul Aziz (President VDP Medal).

Sheikh Hasina said she wants the Ansar and VDP play a leading role in stopping repression on women, removing gender discrimination and ensuring children's welfare.

Hasina said her government will make all-out effort to ensure economic growth of the country with the work of all irrespective of party and opinion.

She also watched colorful display and cultural programmes depicting the country's glorious history and culture by the members of the Ansar, VDP and their children.

State Minister Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, Home Affairs Secretary Abdul Karim and Director General of Ansar and VDP Maj. Gen. ATM Amin, local parliament members and senior army, navy, air force officials, diplomats were also present.