PM distributes cheques to 55 army officers' families

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina takes a moment off from formalities at her office to cuddle the child of Maj Maqsudul Hakim who was killed during the BDR carnage. She was handing over cheques from Bankers' Association of Bangladesh to the families of army officers who lost their lives in the incident.Photo: STAR

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina yesterday distributed cheques, donated by Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), to the wives of army officers killed in the February 25-26 BDR carnage.
BAB earlier declared providing each of the families with an annuity of Tk 40,000 a month for ten years.
At the function at the Prime Minister's Office in the morning, the widows of 55 army officers received the total amounts of money for the next 12 months by cheque.
Sheikh Hasina handed over the cheques to the wives of the late army officers where children and other family members of the slain army officers as well as chiefs of the three services were present in the function.
Families of the two army officers -- General Officer Commanding of 55 Infantry Division and Jessore Area Commander Maj General Rafiqul Islam and pilot Lt Col Md Shahidul Islam--died in last month's helicopter crash in Tangail district will also be given the same amount of financial assistance by the bankers.
Cheques for the families of the slain BDR Director General, Maj. General Shakil Ahmed, and Maj Mijanur Rahman will be delivered later on.
Sheikh Hasina told the function that the killers of the army officers inside the Pilkhana headquarters of BDR should be meted out exemplary punishment so that no one ever dares to repeat such a heinous incident.
The BAB announced that it will arrange jobs for the eligible members of the families while initiatives will be taken so that their wards can take higher education free of cost at the country's reputed educational institutions.
Thanking the bankers for coming forward with the generous help for the grief-stricken families, the premier said she herself would stand by the families at times of their weal and woe all her life.
"Not only as the prime minister, as a mother also I do assure you that my doors will remain always open for you. Whenever you face any problem, please come to me; I will do everything for your betterment," Hasina said.
She went on saying, "It is not possible to give you (the families) back what you have lost in the carnage. But I myself and the government will do everything possible so that none of you face any difficulty in the future."
All assistance will be provided so that every member of the families can become self-reliant by attaining higher education, she assured them.
About the ailing children of the families, she said that, if necessary, the kids would be sent abroad for special modern treatment.
With emotion-chocked voice, Hasina said she herself can feel the pain of losing kith and kin as her father, mother, brothers and almost all close relatives were killed on August 15, 1975.
"But there was none to take care of us after the killing of my relatives. But it will be ensured that you do not face the ordeals we had to suffer," she said.
The PM asked the authorities concerned to make tax-free the donations being received by the army families.
Later, in the refreshment session of the function, the prime minister took up the newborn baby of martyred Maj Maksumul Hakim on her lap and patted her with motherly affection. She talked to the bereaved widows and enquired about their condition.
Among the BAB-member banks, Exim Bank will provide financial assistance to eight families, Southeast Bank to seven, National Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank to five families each, Islami Bank to four, Jamuna Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Standard Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Dhaka Bank, Prime Bank, Trust Bank and Mercantile Bank to two families each, The City Bank, United Commercial Bank, NCC Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Social Investment Bank, Brac Bank, First Security Islami Bank, AB Bank, Eastern Bank, Uttara Bank, Premier
Bank and Bank Asia to one family each.
The bank authorities requested the families to open account with their respective donor banks to receive the money.
Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, Adviser to the Prime Minister Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (rtd) A.B. Tajul Islam, PM's Office Secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad attended the function.