It was a different day for the people of Maliat union in Kaliganj upazila under the district, as the upazila administration arranged trouble-free official services for the people in the remote area.

The initiative titled Amora Apnar Anginai (we are at your doorstep) is the brainchild of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Sadekur Rahman and he initiated it at Maliat union, about 12 kilometres from Kaliganj upazila headquarters on February 6.

Since morning on the day, a festive mood prevailed on the UP premises as locals started thronging there to get their problems solved directly by the officials concerned, coming from Kaliganj upazila headquarters.

"I introduced the system to bring the services to the doorstep of common people. As per our arrangement, the upazila-level staff will provide service in a union one day every week," UNO Sadekur Rahman said.

"Most of the rural people are not aware about the services available for them. They hardly know any officer at the upazila headquarters and often become confused about who to approach for services. Especially poor and uneducated people, the physically challenged ones, widows and elderly people will be benefited much if we continue the programme.

"Such programmes at the union level will also help develop close connection among the officers and locals. They will be able to inform the officer concerned about their problems and enjoy all the facilities provided by the government.

"We have provided service to 394 people here in a day. The programme went live on Facebook, creating opportunity for exchanging views and asking questions for the people," the UNO said.

Earlier the date of the programme and arrangements under it were announced through loudspeakers and the UP chairman and members with the help of chowkidars made sufficient publicity to make the local people aware about the service.

Bablu Rahman, 30, of Tattipur village in Kaliganj, said, "I faced problem after losing my national ID card. Now I am happy as I have filled up the form for a new ID card at Amora Apnar Anginai programme."

Kanan Bala, 65, a widow of Magura village, said, "Earlier I failed to get an elderly allowance card. Now I have filled the form for the allowance."

"One hundred and fifty women were provided service at the programme. Of them, 103 women have been given VGD card and each will get 30 kg of rice per month," said Khandakar Sharifa Aktar, Kaliganj upazila women and children affairs officer.