The Universal Pension Scheme has created interest among general people in Rajshahi, but experts say the scheme should be made more available for people through various steps.
People can pay their monthly instalments from home with ease.
The authorities concerned have created an app in this regard. After completing registration, a number will be provided through which the instalment and other procedures can be done. The authorities concerned with the Universal Pension Scheme will open an account at the state-owned Sonali Bank, and participants will provide their instalments each month to the respective account.
Sonali Bank PLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Pension Authority to collect all types of fees, charges, and monthly instalments through the Sonali payment gateway.
People can also provide instalments to the account directly or through Nagad, bKash and mobile financial services.
The district administration held a meeting on August 29, aiming to make the scheme easy to access.
Tanjim Hasan, a university first-year student, said the pension scheme was much needed for the betterment of the people since only government job holders were getting such facilities before. In the years to come, it will support the elderly population of the country financially, the student said.
Atiqur Rahman, manager at the Bagha branch of Sonali Bank PLC, said there is an interest among the people to learn about the different options of the pension schemes. Four different schemes have been introduced for the people—Progoti, Surokkha, Somota and Probash—to bring citizens from all walks of life under the pension facility. But most people are keen to know about Progoti and Surokkha.
But this official thinks that more awareness must be created among the people about these schemes.
A local high school teacher Titumir Hossain said teachers at public schools usually get pension facilities. From now on, teachers at private schools will also avail of this facility. He appreciated the initiative and said it must be run properly.
Setera Begum, a housewife, said: "We (housewives) usually rely on others for pocket money. But since this scheme has started, things will change now."
A rickshaw puller named Russel said he was too aware of such a scheme rolled out for the people. He wishes to bring his entire family to the facility when the time is right.
Aminur Islam, initiator of the Durgapur Digital Centre, said people from distant areas are coming to his centre to learn about the scheme. People are very keen to learn about it. Many have opened accounts at his centre, he added.
Chairman of Godagari Upazila Md Jahangir Alam said more people will come under the scheme if awareness campaigns are run. He said that local people are contacting him about how to avail of the service.
Dr Abdullah Al Firos, assistant director of the District Social Service Department, said his office has not received any instruction on the pension scheme yet. He hoped that the scheme would play a key role in bringing about societal change.
Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed said the IT centres in rural areas are being utilized for bringing people under the scheme. People can enrol in the pension scheme at these centres. The response among the people is satisfactory, which will only increase in the coming days, he added.