Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the much-talked-about Universal Pension Scheme to bring all the people of the country aged above 18 under the scheme on Thursday.

She initially opened the pension scheme – Pragati, Surokkha, Samata and Prabashi— joining the inaugural programme virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here in the morning.

After launching the scheme, the premier said, “We opened the Universal Pension Scheme in the Month of Mourning. Initially four schemes out of six were inaugurated today as two other schemes will be launched later”.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be happy from heaven seeing that her government is trying to give his people a beautiful and improved life, for which, he dedicated his entire life, she said.

The prime minister also exchanged views with the local public representatives, government officials and beneficiaries as three districts – Gopalganj, Bagerhat and Rangpur – and Consulate General of Bangladesh, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia- were connected to the event through a video conference.

The Pragati scheme will be applicable for private job holders, the Surokkha for self-employed persons, the Samata for low-income people and the Prabashi scheme for expatriate Bangladeshis.

The main target of the universal pension scheme is to bring all the people of the country aged above 18 under its coverage and they will enjoy a lifetime pension facility after being their age 60.