Photo : Collected
A daylong fair and workshop on the Universal Pension Scheme was held at the Hazi Muhammad Mohsin Government High School playground in Rajshahi on Friday.
The National Pension Authority (NPA) and the Commissioner’s Office of the Rajshahi division jointly organised the divisional event aimed at familiarising the public with the pension scheme along with its contribution to the national economy.
Around 200 officials from various government and non-government offices and institutions, public and private banks, and other financial establishments showcased the aspects of the pension scheme in 117 stalls.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Tofazzal Hossain Mian addressed the opening ceremony as the chief guest with Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir in the chair.
Financial Institutions Division Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Salim Ullah, Executive Vice-Chairman of Microcredit Regulatory Authority Muhammd Fasiullah, and Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau Saidur Rahman also talked about the strategies to make the pension scheme successful.
Director General (Administration) of the Prime Minister's Office Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui spoke about the publicity tactics of the universal pension scheme.
Subsequently, they also attended a workshop at the Jail Training Centre auditorium where NPA Member Golam Mostofa presented a keynote paper highlighting the aspects and significance of the pension scheme.
They exchanged views with some of the participants on how to make the scheme more successful.
Addressing the workshop, Tofazzal Hossain Mian said the contribution towards pension will be treated as an investment and eligibility for tax concession. He said the monthly pension will be free from income tax.
The government will pay part of the subscription fee for the insolvent and the low-income thresholds, he said.
He further said the government has already started the activities by establishing the National Pension Authority.
“The Universal Pension Management System has been developed in a complete IT platform in line with the implementation of the prime minister's goal to achieve 'Smart Bangladesh',” he added.
Messenger/Fameema
