One hundred acid survivors and 210 dowry victims received Tk 10,000 each at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city. Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, governor of Bangladesh Bank, distributed the cheques among them.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Salehuddin said Dutch-Bangla Bank extended this financial assistance for setting up poultry farm, livestock farm, nursery and cottage industries.

He also lauded the bank's another initiative to provide loans for the disadvantaged women at only five percent interest.

Such initiatives will help alleviate poverty from the country, Dr Salehuddin said and called on the financial institutions and banks to extend financial support to the disadvantage people.

Yeasin Ali, managing director of Dutch-Bangla Bank, urged the acid and dowry victims to run their businesses successfully to bring changes to their life.

The bank will continue its assistance programme and every year 400 disadvantaged women will be given Tk 10,000 each, he added.

Foundation Coordinator Dr Mozammel Hossain Khan was also present at the ceremony.