Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged the Department of Social Services to urgently reform outdated systems and enhance digital transparency. He emphasized the need to prioritize services for senior citizens and women to ensure that benefits reach those who truly need them. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Adviser made these remarks during a meeting with senior officials of the Department of Social Services at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting focused on addressing key challenges, such as scams involving senior citizen allowances, outdated administrative models, and limited access to services. Prof Yunus highlighted the need for immediate revision of the ministry's operational model, which he described as outdated, having not been updated since 2013. Prof Yunus expressed concerns over the misuse of systems in the past, citing political interference that led to unfair distribution of benefits. He stressed that many individuals received allowances illegally due to political influence, a form of discrimination that must cease. To combat scams related to senior citizen allowances, he recommended aligning disbursements with data from the NID system, stating that allowances should be provided based on the age indicated on the NID to prevent fraud. Additionally, the Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of empowering girls through ministry programs. He advocated for prioritizing girls in any skill-building opportunities, asserting the need to focus specifically on them. Prof Yunus also called for a digital transformation to make services more accessible and transparent. He proposed the development of a mobile app that consolidates all available services and information, reducing the struggle for people to find out what assistance they can receive. The meeting was attended by Social Service Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid, officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Senior Secretary and SDG coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah.
