Dhaka:Dhaka Zila Parishad has allocated nearly Tk 70 lakh in financial assistance to support 1,018 Durga Puja mandaps across five upazilas of Dhaka district and Dhaka city. This marks the first time the council has undertaken such an initiative.
According to United News of Bangladesh, of the total funds, Tk 43.45 lakh was distributed among 869 mandaps in the upazilas, while approximately Tk 26 lakh was allocated to 149 mandaps in the city area. This information was revealed in a press release issued on Thursday.
The distribution across the upazilas included 238 mandaps in Savar, 235 in Dhamrai, 201 in Nawabganj, 153 in Keraniganj, and 42 in Dohar. Cheque distribution events were conducted in Nawabganj and Dohar on October 13, followed by Dhamrai, Keraniganj, and Savar on October 14 and 15.
State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, local lawmakers, Dhaka Zila Parishad Administrator Md Yasin Ferdous Murad, and Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam attended several distribution events. Murad highlighted that the assistance was distributed through Upazila Nirbahi Officers in the upazilas and through relevant lawmakers and representatives in the city.
Murad also indicated that steps will be taken in the future to include city mandaps that did not receive assistance this year. The initiative is intended to foster religious harmony, equal rights, and peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths.