1,500 trainee artisans await promised govt grant

Eight months have passed since 1,500 artisans from different marginal communities in Lalmonirhat took part in a government-run training programme. But they are yet to receive their financial assistance as promised.

In December 2019, the artisans -- barbers, cobblers, blacksmiths, potters and makers of various other handcrafts -- participated in a three-day professional skills development training programme conducted by the Department of Social Services.

Each of the participants, from five upazilas and a municipality in the district, was supposed to receive a grant of Tk 18,000 upon successful completion of the training.

Premchand Rabidas, a cobbler from Bhadai Bazar in Aditmari upazila, is among the 1,500 trainees.

He said that he paid numerous visits to the upazila social services office over these past months, but only to hear that they would disburse the grant any day now.

Although the grant would be greatly helpful for people like him amid the trying times of coronavirus pandemic, he has been so frustrated that he has stopped going to the office, Premchand said.

Shoemaker Dhaneshwar Rabidas, Kalmati village of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said he has been unable to do urgent renovation in his small shop due to financial insolvency.

At a time like this, especially when income is plummeting due to Covid-19, the government assistance would help them cope with the situation, he added. 

Echoing the same sentiment, barber Rostam Ali, who works at a barbershop in Puran Bazar area of Lalmonirhat town, said the grants were supposed to be disbursed after the training. But all these months, the social services office did not do much in this regard.

He also said his hopes of getting the grant has diminished and he no longer checks in to the office inquiring about the grant.

Contacted, Rawshanul Mandal, social services officer in Aditmari upazila, said they have the paycheques ready for distribution among the trainees, but they had been awaiting necessary directive from the social welfare minister. 

They would organise a programme to distribute the cheques among the recipients as soon as they receive the directive, he added.

Noor e-Jannat, social services officer in Sadar upazila, said they also have the paycheques ready and they await completion of necessary formalities.