Rural Social Services (RSS)

The Rural Social Services (RSS) activities implemented by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare are being conducted with the aim of alleviating the poverty of the destitute, helpless, neglected, backward and backward people living in the rural areas of the country. The interest free micro-credit of the Rural Social Service (RSS) program started a new and colorful history in the field of micro-credit / poverty alleviation in Bangladesh and the economic liberation of the marginalized people of the country as a pioneer. Launch of the first interest free microfinance program in Bangladesh under the Rural Social Service (RSS) program. As a result, this program has been established as the birthplace and pioneer of Bangladesh microfinance program. This program started a new and groundbreaking history in the field of economic emancipation of the marginalized people of Bangladesh.

Under the direction of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu, the Department of Social Services started 'rural social service activities' experimentally in 1974 in the then 19 police stations. In the light of its success, this program was expanded to 21 more police stations in 1986. Later expanded rural social service activities in 2nd phase (1980-8) in 103 upazilas, 3rd phase (198-92) in 120 upazilas, 4th phase (1992-95) in 61 upazilas, 5th phase (1995-2002) in 119 upazilas, 6th phase (2004-). 06) It is being implemented in 460 upazilas and at present in all the upazilas of the country. Through this program, landless people living in rural areas living below the poverty line are organized in various working groups by creating social awareness and their participation in all kinds of economic development programs is being ensured by engaging them in productive and income generating programs by providing interest free micro capital.

Purpose:

Through these activities, social awareness is being created among the landless and people living below the poverty line in the rural areas and their participation in the overall development of the country is being ensured by involving them in income generating programs. The 18-member Rural Social Service Implementation Committee (UPIC) comprising the Upazila Nirbahi Officer as the President and the Upazila Social Service Officer as the Member Secretary and the concerned Divisional Officers is implementing these activities at the Upazila level.

Recipient:

1. Residents of selected villages;

2. Party members of the Rural Social Service Task Force;

3. The average annual income of a member's family up to taka 50,000 (poorest) ‘A’ class

4. The average annual household income ranges from taka 50,001 to Rs. 60,000 (poor) ‘B’ category

5. Average annual household income above taka 80,001 (above poverty line) ‘C’ category

6. Other services including ‘A’ and ‘B’ category microcredit and other social services except C class interest free loans;

Methods of service delivery (in short):

After completing the family survey by the Union Social Worker / Technical Instructor in the selected village by the Upazila Project Implementation Committee and forming a task force with the family members belonging to group A and B, each party member was made accustomed to 20 social activities. Then the concerned social worker / technical trainer submits the draft list along with the application form after verifying and selecting the application form of the loan candidates proposed from the village committee or task force and submits the accumulated savings project as bank of the village or task force. The prepared draft list, application form, along with the recommendation for examination by the Scheme Field Supervisor is submitted to the Upazila Social Service Officer. Then the Upazila Social Service Officer organized a meeting of UPIC and approved the loan. Finally the loan disbursement activities are completed by informing the selected borrowers by setting the date and place of distribution of loan checks / cash.

Required fees / taxes / incidental expenses:

1. Free

Term of service:

1. One month loan for the first time after village / mahalla election (subject to receipt of allotment);

2.  Reinvestment / 2nd / 3rd stage loan, 20 days after application.