The Dhaka Times Desk Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the much awaited 'Universal Pension Programme'. Today Thursday (17 August) at 11:00 PM, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated this pension scheme by connecting virtually from Ganobhaban.
From now on anyone can join the process by registering. Therefore, the government has also launched a separate website. That is http://www.upension.gov.bd
A new dimension has been added to the private sector through this pension system. In the coming days, ordinary people of the country will be able to enjoy pension benefits even after retiring from private jobs. However, 1 crore 38 lakh people benefited from the social security program have been excluded from this scheme. All of them are getting the benefit of cash allowance.
Participating in the pension scheme requires surrendering social security benefits. Otherwise they cannot join this scheme. At the same time, the working government employees cannot participate in this program for the time being. Employees of non-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, self-employed and low-income citizens and expatriate Bangladeshis can also participate.
The 'Universal Pension Management Act, 2023' was passed in the last session of the National Parliament. On January 31, the then president agreed to the law. Abdul Hamid. Then the rules of 13 August were issued.
How to participate in Government Pension Scheme
In this pension scheme, the monthly subscription is fixed at a minimum of 500 taka and a maximum of 5 thousand taka. However, there is also an opportunity to change the program and increase the amount of subscription. According to the passed 'Universal Pension Management Bill-2023', all citizens aged 18 to 50 years can enjoy the pension benefit for life after completing 60 years by paying the prescribed rate of contribution. Also, on special consideration, those above 50 years of age can also enjoy pension benefits by paying contributions for 10 years uninterruptedly under this Act.
In that case, he will be entitled to pension for life from the age he attains after the completion of 10 continuous years of contributions from the date of joining the scheme. For life i.e. the age of the pensioner is considered up to 75 years. The contributor will get monthly pension only if he has contributed continuously for at least 10 years.
Pension will be paid against contributions to the pension fund along with accumulated profits on the contributor attaining the age of 60 years. Bangladeshi workers working abroad can also participate in this program.
It also states that the government can also give a portion of the monthly contribution to the pension fund as a grant to citizens below the lower income limit or insolvent contributors.
A pensioner will get pension benefits for life. However, if the pensioner dies before attaining the age of 75 years, his designated nominee will be entitled to a monthly pension for the remaining period (ie up to the age of 75 years of the original pensioner). If the subscriber dies at least 10 years before the subscription is made, the deposited money will be returned to his nominee or heirs along with the profits.
The maximum amount of money you can deposit
If the amount deposited in the pension fund needs to be withdrawn at any stage, the subscriber can withdraw up to 50 percent of the deposited amount as a loan on application, which has to be repaid later along with the fee.
It is also mentioned in this bill that the money received from the pension will be free from income tax and the contribution fixed for the pension will be considered as an investment and will be considered for tax concession.
Government or semi-government or autonomous or private institutions can participate in public pension system. In this case the contribution share of workers and institutions will be determined by the authorities.
However, till the government decides, the employees in government and semi-government or autonomous organizations will remain out of the pension scheme. It is said that the government will introduce universal pension management by issuing a notification to fulfill the objectives of the Act.
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How to prevent dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral fever. This fever is different from other viral or bacterial fevers. However, this fever is not contagious in any way. This viral fever can occur alone or in combination with other viruses (chikungunya, yellow fever, Burma forest, flu, respiratory syncytial) and bacteria (pneumococcus).
Dengue fever is divided into two categories depending on the severity of symptoms and fever.
1. Common dengue fever
2. Dengue fever with bleeding.
In the case of common dengue fever, the following symptoms are mainly seen-
1. Sudden high fever lasting 2 to 7 days.
2. Severe headache.
3. Pain behind the eyes.
4. Along with the fever, red rash appears all over the body.
5. Severe pain in whole body as well as back pain.
6. Nausea or vomiting.
7. A rash or red bumps on the skin.
In case of dengue fever with bleeding:
1. Bleeding from nose, mouth or vomiting with high fever within 2 to 48 hours.
2. Fluid accumulation in chest or abdomen along with fever.
If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.
On the other hand
Wait at home for the first 3 days of fever. On the other hand, sponge the whole body with water every now and then. This will reduce the level of fever. Drink enough water and rest. After that, if the fever does not decrease or if it continues to increase after some time, consult a doctor immediately.
Things to do to prevent Dengue:
1. Try to keep the surroundings of the house as clean as possible.
2. If there are flower tubs or broken plastic bottles, can shells, tires or polythene inside the house, clean them quickly and drain the accumulated water from the flower tubs.
3. Spray or fog at least 3 times a week to kill mosquitoes.
4. You can keep mosquito repellent cream with you while going out.
5. After evening, younger and older members of the household should use mosquito nets.
6. Clean up any accumulated rain water, as this is the time when Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs.
7. On the other hand, you can use mats along with mosquito nets to avoid mosquito infestation.
8. Since Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, it is important to avoid sleeping with mosquito nets while sleeping during the day. Source: https://dmpnews.org
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