Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar improves life of 40,481 poor families in Rangpur

The beneficiary member-families of the 689 village development samities (VDS) under all 76 unions of eight upazilas were provided necessary training and revolving loans for income generation activities.

The families have attained self-reliance with the assistance of the project being run now by newly launched 'Palli Sanchoy Bank (PSB)' ushering in a new hope for their continuous development.

According to Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) sources government launched the project to assist rural poor in attaining sustainable development through poverty alleviation, fund mobilisation, income generations and family level farming.

Talking to the news agency, Amjad Hossain (70), member of Gokulpur Gendarpara VDS under Haridebpur union, said he took Tk 10,000 loan from a samity in 2012, bought a heifer and invested rest amount in his small hotel business.

"After repaying loan through installments, I got Tk 30,000, bought another heifer and invested rest amount to expand my hotel business. I have now assets, including four cows, worth over Tk 0.2 million," he said.

Member of Satmail Para VDS Jonab Ali (55) said he received Tk 7,000 in 2012 and then Tk 15,000 in 2014 and took lease of one acre land.

"I cultivate various crops, including vegetables, on the land round the year to earn profits having assets worth Tk 0.25 million thousand now after completing marriages of my two daughters," he said.

Emdadul Haque, 42, member of Khaluapara VDS said, he took Tk 10,000 loan from his samity in 2012 first time to invest in his auto parts shop.

"I got Tk 20,000 in 2014 and Tk 30,000 this year for expanding my business. I have built a 'pakka' house, engaged three employees in my shop and have assets, including three cows, worth Tk 1.0 million now," he said.

The project beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude to the Prime Minister for assisting them in improving livelihoods and launching of PSB after the expiry of EBEK project to bring more rural people under such facilities.

Deputy director of BRDB Abdus Sabur said the 689 VDS currently having own deposits of Tk 202.7 million and distributed Tk 668.7 million so far as revolving loans among member-families in the district.

"The VDS are being run now under the supervision of PSB after the expiry of EBEK project to assist beneficiaries in running small businesses or farms like fishery, livestock, poultry, nursery and vegetable gardening to achieve further success," he added.

News: Financial Express