The government has decided to increase monthly allowances for decorated freedom fighters and families of martyred freedom fighters by Tk 5,000, alongside hikes in several other social safety net benefits.
The decision was taken at the 32nd meeting of Advisory Council Committee on Social Safety Net Programmes, held at the Ministry of Finance on Sunday (January 25) at 2:00 pm. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.
According to the decisions, the committee finalised beneficiary numbers and allowance rates for 15 social safety net programmes for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the monthly allowance for decorated freedom fighters and families of martyred freedom fighters has been increased by Tk 5,000.
The committee also recommended bringing monthly honorariums for families of those martyred and injured in the July mass uprising under the ministry’s jurisdiction, as well as including the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock within the committee’s scope.
For the VGF programme, the committee recommended including an additional 273,514 fishermen, raising the total number of beneficiaries to 1.5 million in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Under the Ministry of Social Welfare, the number of beneficiaries of the Old Age Allowance has been increased by 100,000 to 6.2 million. Of them, 5.995 million elderly persons will receive Tk 700 per month instead of Tk 650, while 205,000 people aged 90 and above will receive Tk 1,000 per month.
For widows and women deserted by husbands, the total number of beneficiaries stands at 2.9 million. Among them, 2.875 million will receive Tk 700 per month instead of Tk 650, while 25,000 beneficiaries aged over 90 will receive Tk 1,000 per month.
In the disability allowance and stipend programme, 3.6 million persons with disabilities will be covered. Of them, 3,581,900 will receive Tk 900 per month, while 18,100 will receive Tk 1,000 per month. Currently, 3.45 million people are receiving disability allowances. Disability stipends have also been increased by Tk 50, with revised monthly rates set at Tk 950 (primary), Tk 1,000 (secondary), Tk 1,100 (higher secondary), and Tk 1,350 (higher education).
Under programmes for improving the living standards of marginalised communities, the number of beneficiaries has been increased by 7,000 to 228,389, with the monthly allowance raised from Tk 650 to Tk 700. The number of marginalised students receiving stipends and merit scholarships has been increased by 3,198 to 45,338, with revised monthly rates fixed at Tk 700 (primary), Tk 800 (secondary), Tk 1,000 (higher secondary), and Tk 1,200 (higher education). The committee also decided to provide skills development training to 5,490 people from marginalised communities.
For patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke-induced paralysis, congenital heart disease and thalassemia, the number of beneficiaries has been increased by 5,000 to 65,000. The one-time medical assistance has been doubled from Tk 50,000 to Tk 100,000.
Under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, beneficiaries of the Mother and Child Assistance Programme have been increased by 124,000 to 1,895,200. Each beneficiary mother currently receives Tk 850 per month.
Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Food’s Food-Friendly Programme, the number of beneficiary families has been increased by 500,000 to 6 million. Each family receives 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram for six months.
These measures aim to expand coverage and enhance financial support across key social safety net programmes ahead of the 2026–27 fiscal year.
