In the proposed 2026�"27 fiscal budget, under the Mother and Child Support Program (maternity allowance), 1.895 million mothers and children will receive a monthly allowance of 850 taka for a period of 3 years. According to this proposal, each union would have an average of 412 beneficiaries, costing about 161 crore taka per month. We welcome this challenging initiative. Presently there are about 4,600 union councils in Bangladesh. Based on field experience and the 7 eligibility criteria for maternity allowance, each union would realistically have around 70 truly eligible poor pregnant mothers. Additionally, about 342 additional beneficiaries per union are being included beyond the eligible mothers.
According to this calculation, the total number of eligible mothers nationwide would be about 322,000. That means there are about 1,573,000 additional beneficiaries beyond eligibility. If calculated based on criterion, each mother could receive 5,000 taka per month over 3 years. Alternatively, if extended to 5 years, each mother could receive 3,000 taka per month.
In comparison, the minimum wage of a garment worker in Bangladesh is 8,000 taka per month. In that context, providing 5,000 taka monthly support to a pregnant poor mother is not unrealistic. Considering expenses for nutrition, healthcare, transport, medicine, and newborn care, 850 taka is very low. A more realistic support would be around 5,000 taka.
The first five years of a child’s life are the most important for physical, mental, cognitive, and cultural development. Therefore, the duration of conditional support can be extended from 3 years to 5 years for schooling entry.
Without such ambiguity mitigation, the additional 1.573 million mothers included beyond eligibility would increase financial burden and weaken the structured poverty alleviation system. It may negatively affect the country’s development planning. Concerns will be broader of mishandling, corruption and allied.
Since 2005�"06, maternity allowances for poor mothers have been in place. After a long time, the program name was changed by the previous government to “Mother and Child Support Program.” Though ever body knows “mother” and “maternity” are not the same, we request that the name “Maternity and Child Support Program” may be renamed.
The total number of eligible mothers nationwide would be about 322,000.
That means there are about 1,573,000 additional beneficiaries beyond
eligibility. If calculated based on criterion, each mother could receive
5,000 taka per month over 3 years. Alternatively, if extended to 5
years, each mother could receive 3,000 taka per month.
In reference of recent press meeting, the Finance Minister Mr. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, MP has mentioned that adjustments to the proposed 2026-27 budget are still ongoing for further revision.
Thus we appeal to the concern authority to review the number of beneficiaries, allowance amount and duration of the program to be implemented by the Women and Child Affairs Ministry.
Understandably, a simplified budget summary stands as follows: Monthly allocation of 161 crore taka (19.32 billion per year) should be maintained. For this, we welcome again.
So, Each union should have 70 mothers as beneficiaries. Monthly allowance should be either: 5,000 taka for 3 years, or 3,000 taka for 5 years and the program name should be changed to “Maternity and Child Support Program” instead of “Mother and Child Support Program.”
Without emotion or dreams, nothing can be created. Based on this vision, the proposed `Family Card’ program of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Government arique Rahman may become a strong foundation for implementation. If health, nutrition, population control, education, housing, employment, environment and social security are integrated under a single Family Card umbrella, it could help build more equal, prosperous, and self-reliant Bangladesh.
The writer is Founder and CEO, DORP
