(BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said his government is committed to ensuring equal rights and dignity for every citizen irrespective of religion, caste, class, profession or community.

"We want to build a Bangladesh where religion, caste or identity will never be a barrier to anyone`s rights and opportunities. Our goal is to ensure equal rights and dignity for every citizen," he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while exchanging views with representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said PM`s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

The representatives thanked the Prime Minister for extending the government holiday on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, saying the decision has added to the festive spirit among members of the Hindu community.

During the meeting, representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities raised various issues, needs and demands with the Prime Minister.

Tarique Rahman listened to them attentively and said the government is sincerely working for the welfare of people from all communities.

"We will try our utmost to do whatever is possible on behalf of the government. Your legitimate demands and problems will be considered with due importance," he said.

The Hindu community representatives also invited the Prime Minister to visit various Durga Puja mandaps.

Tarique Rahman extended greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja and to members of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Kathin Chibar Dan.

He also wished peace, prosperity and wellbeing for all citizens of the country.

The representatives of both communities, in turn, extended greetings to the Prime Minister on the occasion of their respective religious festivals.

Later, the Prime Minister handed over cheques allocating Tk 5 crore to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Durga Puja and Tk 3 crore to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust for the Kathin Chibar Dan festival.

The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust had sought Tk 4 crore for Durga Puja, while the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust had sought Tk 2 crore for Kathin Chibar Dan. Considering the requests, the Prime Minister increased the allocations to Tk 5 crore and Tk 3 crore respectively.

The allocated funds will be distributed among the respective beneficiaries through the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust and district administrations. The beneficiaries will receive the funds directly through their bank accounts.

The representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the allocations and expressed their gratitude to the government.

PM`s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, lawmakers Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Subarna Shikdar Thakur, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice-Chairman Tapan Chandra Majumder, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Secretary General Debendra Nath Oraon, Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma, BNP Assistant Secretary for Religious Affairs Amalendu Das Apu, BNP National Executive Committee Member Sushil Chandra Barua and senior officials of the Prime Minister`s Office, among others, were present at the meeting.