Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher informed the National Parliament that plans have been undertaken to construct 100,000 affordable flats for low-income individuals across 58 areas in the capital, including the Korail slum, through public-private initiatives.

The minister stated that under the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022–2035 formulated by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), 58 locations—including the Korail slum—have been identified to ensure affordable housing for low-income citizens. He added that there are plans to construct 100,000 flats in these designated areas through public-private partnerships (PPP).

The minister shared this information on Sunday while responding to a question from Rumeen Farhana, an independent Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency. The Q&A session was placed on the table earlier with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair.

The Housing Minister further noted that the National Housing Authority has taken the initiative to gradually launch a residential flat construction project for low-income groups on 98 acres of its own land in Dattapara, Tongi, Gazipur.

Additionally, with financial assistance from development partner organizations, the National Housing Authority has initiated a project to ensure improved housing for low-income residents living in 37 slums across the city corporations and municipalities of Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Barisal, Khulna, Kushtia, Mymensingh, and Narayanganj.

Zakaria Taher also mentioned that the Rajshahi Development Authority has taken steps to build 16 flats on Plot No. 578 of the Padma Residential Area to address housing issues for low-income residents. Meanwhile, the Khulna Development Authority has planned a residential flat construction project for low-income individuals on approximately eight acres of land in the Harintana Mouza of Khulna city.

Furthermore, a project proposal is under consideration by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) to establish monthly rental-based residential facilities for low-income groups on approximately 83 Kathas of CDA-owned land in the Saltgola area, to be executed through self-funding or a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Parents' Maintenance Act Undergoing Amendments: Social Welfare Minister
In response to a query from Nazmun Nahar, a Jamaat-e-Islami MP from a reserved women's seat, Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain stated that based on feedback from stakeholders, the Parents' Maintenance Act, 2013 is being amended to incorporate revised provisions for prison sentences, fines, and punitive measures.

Responding to another question from Naogaon-3 MP Fazle Huda, the Social Welfare Minister acknowledged that there have been allegations of political bias and irregularities in the distribution of various allowances under the social safety net programs in previous years. He affirmed that the Ministry of Social Welfare is actively taking administrative steps regarding these complaints.

He stated that a purification drive and database verification initiative have already been launched across the country to enlist actual destitute, insolvent, and eligible individuals while weeding out fake or ineligible beneficiaries. To facilitate this, the Cabinet Division formed a re-verification committee on April 19 to scrutinize the allowance beneficiary lists.

In response to a query from Feni-2 MP Joynal Abedin, the minister noted that the country's elderly population is steadily growing due to rising life expectancy. In the current fiscal year (2025–26), 6.1 million beneficiaries are receiving a monthly allowance of 650 BDT, backed by a budget allocation of 4,791.31 crore BDT. For the proposed fiscal year 2026–27, the monthly allowance has been set at 700 BDT for 6.2 million beneficiaries, with a proposed allocation of 5,239.25 crore BDT.

Replying to a question from Gazipur-3 MP S.M. Rofiqul Islam, the minister stated that for the upcoming fiscal year, it has been proposed to provide 3 million beneficiaries with the widow and deserted women's allowance at a monthly rate of 700 BDT, with an allocated budget of 2,535.12 crore BDT. In the current fiscal year, 2.9 million beneficiaries are receiving this allowance at a rate of 650 BDT. On the other hand, there are plans to distribute disability allowances to 3.8 million beneficiaries. The allocation for this sector has been raised from 900 BDT to 1,000 BDT per month, with a total proposed allocation of 4,587.36 crore BDT.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Commissioning Phase: Science Minister
Responding to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam stated that the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is a landmark project in Bangladesh's energy sector and stands as the country's first nuclear power facility. Following long-term planning, construction, and preparatory activities, the project is currently in the commissioning and start-up phase—the final, highly complex, and critical stage before commercial power generation begins.

The minister expressed optimism that by the end of August, approximately 300 megawatts of electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be supplied to the national grid for the first time.