Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed changing the fate of marginal people for the country’s overall socio-economic development, reports local media.

‘If we want to make our country economically self-reliant one, then it’s very much important to develop the socio-economic status of its people, including the marginal ones,’ she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a function marking the distribution of stipends among students of Small Ethnic Groups under ‘Development Assistance for Special Areas’ programmes at her office in the capital.

She said the more the development of the marginal people will be ensured the quicker the country will get rid of poverty. ‘And the future generation will grow up as educated one.’

Sheikh Hasina said it is not possible to develop the country by ignoring anyone. ‘We’ll have to look after those who’re passing their days in negligence and living a marginalised life,’ she said.

The Prime Minister asked the authorities concerned to find out the way for developing the fate of these sections of people and thus ensure their better social standing.

Held with PM’s Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad in the chair, the function was addressed, among others, by PMO DG Kabir Bin Anwar.

Ministers, PM’s Advisers and high officials concerned were present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister’s Office took the project in 1996 aiming to enhance social, cultural, economic and educational development of the small ethnic communities living in plain land of the country.

Some Tk 70 lakh are being distributed this year among 350 poor but meritorious students from minor ethnic communities as stipends under the project.

Of them, 20 students received stipends directly from the Prime Minister today with each getting Tk 25,000.