Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday handed over cheques as financial assistance to the bus, truck and other vehicle owners who were affected in the ongoing hartal and blockade programmes enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

The Prime Minister distributed the cheques for Tk 4,20,65,000 to 146 owners of the 156 vehicles in the first phase at her Tejgaon office here in the morning.

Out of the financial assistance, one owner has been given highest Tk 10 lakh as the financial assistance for the damage of his or her vehicle.

Speaking on the occasion, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said some 1800 vehicles, including buses and trucks, were burned or vandalised by BNP-Jamaat men since January during the ongoing hartal and blockade.

He said so far owners of some 823 vehicles have submitted their applications to the Prime Minister for financial help. Of the vehicles, Quader said, 287 were torched and 536 were vandalised.

In the first phase, some 146 owners of 156 vehicles were given financial assistance by the Prime Minister for the damage of their vehicles, ‘The rest of the affected owners will also be given financial help in phases,’ Quader added.

‘The assistance of the Prime Minister is an expression of her deep and abiding commitment to the affected vehicle owners,’ he said.

The Road Transport and Bridges Minister said that the Prime Minister would also provide financial help to the drivers and helpers who were killed and injured in the ongoing hartal and blockade programmes.

Quader thanked the vehicle owners for standing beside people and providing passenger services to them during the crisis, terming it as a huge sacrifice made by them.

He also assured the vehicle owners that the Prime Minister would always stay beside them during their bad time.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, PM's Advisers HT Imam and Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Moshiur Rahman Ranga, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Suraiya Begum, Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowduri and President of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Malik Samity K Enayet Ullah were, among others, present on the occasion.