Staff Correspondent:

Salehuddin Ahmed, the finance adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, assured that the upcoming general election will proceed without interruption, irrespective of political pressure. Speaking at the launch of the U Pension App by the National Pension Authority, Ahmed emphasized that no individual or political party will be able to halt the election process.

The finance adviser assured the public that the finance ministry is providing all necessary logistical support to the Home Ministry to ensure law and order during the election period. He expressed confidence that the election would be fair, stating, “The next election will definitely be fair and will not be stopped at the behest of any individual or party.”

One of the key issues Ahmed highlighted was the ministry’s effort to eliminate the use of black money in the election. He indicated that the finance ministry would take stringent steps to curb illicit financial influence, although he added that politicians themselves must play a role in this effort.

Ahmed also touched on the ongoing challenges surrounding the universal pension scheme, which was launched to ensure sustainable social security for all citizens. Despite its broad potential, participation in the scheme has been lower than expected, with key groups like government employees and teachers not enrolling.

“We need to investigate why people are reluctant to join the scheme,” said Ahmed. “Steps will be taken to correct any errors in the program and bring more participants, particularly from the public sector.” He stressed that the inclusion of government employees and teachers would be a priority and that efforts would be made to increase awareness and promotion of the universal pension.

A key development in the administration of the universal pension scheme is the launch of the U Pension App. This mobile application will allow citizens to easily access their pension accounts, make changes to their nominations, and receive notifications about their status. The app is designed to make the process more efficient, offering features such as account login, verification, and real-time updates.

The universal pension scheme offers four distinct plans: the Prabas Scheme, Pragati Scheme, Suraksha Scheme, and Samata Scheme, each catering to different sectors and needs. The goal of the program is to provide long-term financial security for citizens, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their profession or background, has access to a reliable pension system.

Ahmed concluded by calling on all sectors to support the scheme’s implementation and emphasized that making the pension system more accessible and inclusive would be a key focus for the government going forward.