DHAKA: Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury Saturday said comprehensive plan is needed to eradicate poverty from the country.

Poverty reduction means that no class or group would remain backward in society, she said.

The Speaker made the comment while addressing the inaugural function of the First National Char Conference 2015 at Khamarbari Krishibid Institution Complex this morning.

A total of 80 non-government organizations including DFID, Australian High Commission, Oxfam Bangladesh and Concern Worldwide jointly organized the conference.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin said, “We will not only eliminate poverty, but also reduce gap between rich and poor. The designed development plans will have to reach the grassroots level. The benefits of growth will have to reach doorsteps of the poor.”

Mentioning the country stepping forward through sustainable development plans, she said, “Because of various development programs, country’s poverty rate has dropped to 23 percent from 40 percent.”

If this development continues, no people would be considered poor in the country by 2018, she opined.

The speaker also urged the government to keep special allocation for the development of char people.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades Councilor Priya Powell, Concern Worldwide Bangladesh country director AK Musa, char people’s representative Mahindranath Roy, vice-president of the first National Char Conference Shishir Shil, among others, spoke at the program, presided over by National Committee of the First National Char Conference chairman Khandaker Ibrahim Khaled.

BDST: 1556 HRS, JUN 6, 2015
RS/RR/SMS