Women to Receive Free Education Up to Undergraduate Level; Stipends Increasing

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that female education across the country will be made completely free up to the undergraduate and degree levels. Additionally, the government plans to expand national stipend programs to significantly boost higher education opportunities for girls living in remote and rural areas.

The Prime Minister made the announcements today, Saturday, while addressing a public wayside rally as the chief guest at the PMkhali area under Cox'S Bazar Sadar Upazila. He stated that in line with pre-election pledges, the newly formed government is actively moving forward with various public welfare and development projects targeting agriculture, female literacy, healthcare access, and the living standards of low-income populations. During his visit, the Prime Minister formally inaugurated the re-excavation work of the Patali Canal by cutting soil with his own hands.

Agricultural Boost via Patali Canal Re-Excavation

According to the Prime Minister, the successful re-excavation of the Patali Canal will directly benefit around 8,500 local farmers and increase regional agricultural production by approximately 12,000 metric tons annually. He emphasized that the initiative is not merely an infrastructural development project but is deeply connected to the enhancement of national irrigation, crop production, and the rural economy.

Notably, the Patali Canal holds historical significance as it is a project associated with the memory of the late President Ziaur Rahman. The canal was a vital part of the nationwide canal-digging program launched in 1977 to modernize the country’s agricultural and irrigation networks. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman initiated its re-excavation nearly five decades after its original launch.

Direct Cash Subsidies and Free Education for Women

Reflecting on the recently proposed national budget, the Prime Minister noted that the agricultural sector has been granted top priority. Under new budgetary measures, specialized agricultural cards will be distributed to 8,000–10,000 farmers in every district, enabling cardholders to receive a direct cash incentive of BDT 2,500. He added that multiple other initiatives are underway to significantly reduce the production costs borne by farmers.

Detailing the government's visionary plans for female empowerment, the Prime Minister highlighted the upcoming structural changes in the education sector.

"Our administration is planning to make education completely free for women up to the undergraduate and degree pass levels. Concurrently, by expanding our existing stipend frameworks, we will ensure that girls from the most remote corners of Bangladesh can seamlessly access higher education." — Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister

To guarantee financial security for rural populations, the Prime Minister spoke about the newly introduced Family Card program. Furthermore, to make healthcare services highly affordable, special allocations have been maintained in the budget, including the complete withdrawal of taxes on essential medicines and critical medical equipment used for cardiac stents and kidney dialysis.

PM Rejects Opposition Criticism Over Budget

Responding directly to criticisms leveled by opposition parties regarding the newly placed national budget, the Prime Minister asserted that the prices of essential commodities have not increased following the budget announcement. On the contrary, import taxes and duties have been slashed on 60 daily essential commodities to provide relief to ordinary citizens.

He clarified that tax hikes were strictly confined to health-hazardous products, specifically alcohol and cigarettes. The Prime Minister reiterated that the general public is the true owner of the state, and all government strategies and development plans are being executed solely to elevate their standards of living.

During his high-profile tour of Cox's Bazar, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in a series of events, including a tree plantation campaign, laying foundation stones for various development projects, and addressing public and civil society rallies. He is expected to return to Dhaka tonight.