List the homeless, we'll make homes

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked her party men and public representatives to make a list of poor and homeless people to ensure their welfare and make Bangladesh a poverty-free country.

“We want to free Bangladesh from poverty. I request you all to make a list of poor and homeless people in your areas. We will build houses and give those to them for free. They are our citizens,” she said at the inaugural session of the AL's 20th national council at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.

“Awami League is a people's organisation. It is our duty to ensure people's welfare. There would be no poverty if we can ensure the welfare of people. It is our commitment that there will be no poverty in the country.”

The government has brought the poverty rate down to 22.4 percent from 97 percent. The country's per capita income would keep rising, she added.

The AL chief said the party faced adverse situations many a time. But its grassroots leaders kept the organisation going by making sacrifices and overcoming the odds.