DHAKA, Sept 3, 2022 (BSS) - Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar assured the members of the third gender community that they will get priority in the government's Open Market Sale (OMS) programme which is going on in the country.

He gave this assurance while addressing as the chief guest the Kannar Cultural Festival-2022 of the third gender people held at the Enam Medical College and Hospital auditorium in Savar on Friday.

The food minister said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that no one will be deprived." For that purpose, the government is giving houses to the homeless under the Ashrayan (shelter) Project. Members of the third gender are also getting houses. To empower them socially, projects have been undertaken to improve the quality of life through the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Lauding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her contribution for the third gender people, he said that it is her government that has recognized the third gender.

In 2019, they got the right to vote with a distinct gender identity, he said, adding that currently they are holding their own passports.

With State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman in the chair, the programme was inaugurated by Manikganj constituency's Member of Parliament Momtaz Begum.