Bhangura sees scarcity in opening pension scheme

Bhangura (Pabna) Correspondent :

In Bhangura upazila of Pabna, only 142 accounts have been opened in two listed banks under universal pension scheme in four months. Among these, 125 schemes have been launched in Sonali Bank Bhangura Bazar branch and 17 schemes in Agrani Bank Baralbridge branch of the upazila.
It is reported that the Universal Pension System Act-2023 is made with the aim of covering the growing elderly population under a sustainable and well-structured social security system. All Bangladeshi citizens from the age of 18 years or above to the age of 50 years can participate in the universal pension. This pension scheme can be opened in the listed banks of the state. It can deposit monthly or quarterly money or subscription like other term savings schemes of the bank. Generally the pension benefits will be paid against the deposits along with the accumulated profits in the pension fund on completion of 60 years of age.
Pension before the death of the contributor to the scheme and nominee wil get pension benefits after his death.
According to a statistic, at least 25 thousand people in Bhangura upazila can be covered under the universal pension scheme. Especially politicians, businessmen and farmers including various professions, NGO workers, teachers and employees of private educational institutions can take this advantage. However, till writing the report on Wednesday, there was no mentionable response to this scheme.
Abdul Awal, manager of Sonali Bank, said that 125 accounts have been opened in this branch under protection, progress and equality schemes. Manager of Agrani Bank KM Bariul Islam said, 17 accounts have been set up in this branch under the protection scheme. Upazila Post Office Master Nahida Sultana said, till Wednesday no one came here to open pension scheme account.
They also said, in this scheme, people of various professions and private employees can open an account of one to five thousand taka in the protection and progress project of universal pension.
And backward community people can open Tk 500 account. In this case, along with their contribution, the government will deposit another 500 taka per installment, said the bank managers.