Govt to increase allowances, expand coverage

FE REPORT | Published: January 26, 2026 00:21:22

The government has decided to enhance both the number of beneficiaries and the allowances under various social safety net programmes starting from the next fiscal year.
The Advisers' Council Committee on Social Safety Net Programmes (SSNPs), at a meeting on Sunday, made the decision in response to the growing inflationary pressure affecting the poor segment of the population. The meeting was held at the ministry of finance, with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair.
The monthly allowances for three SSNPs will increase by Tk 50 as stubborn inflation has eroded people's purchasing power, says a finance ministry release.
As per the new decision, beneficiaries of the old age allowance, widow and deserted women allowance, and marginalised communities grant will see their monthly allowances rise from Tk 650 to Tk 700.
The number of beneficiaries under the old age allowance will also increase by 0.1 million to 6.2 million.
Under the 'widow and deserted women allowance' programme, the number of beneficiaries stands at 2.9 million. Of them, 2.875 million recipients will get a monthly allowance Tk 700, and 25,000 others who are aged over 90 will get Tk 1,000 per month.
The allowance for marginalised communities will also see an increase of Tk 50, bringing the total to Tk 700. Moreover, the number of such beneficiaries will be raised by 7,000, totalling 228,389 individuals.
The government has also decided to increase the number of beneficiaries for the stipend programme for marginalised students by 3,198, bringing the total to 45,338 students. However, the amount of the stipend will remain unchanged.
Also, the number of beneficiaries under the disability allowance and education stipend programmes has been increased to 3.6 million, up from the current 3.45 million.
Moreover, the monthly rates of stipend for disabled students has been increased by Tk 50 to Tk 950 at the primary level, to Tk 1,000 at the secondary level, to Tk 1,100 at the higher secondary, and to Tk 1,350 at the higher education levels.
In addition, the number of beneficiaries in the financial assistance programme for patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke paralysis, congenital heart disease, and thalassemia has been increased by 5,000, reaching a total of 65,000.
The financial assistance for their treatment has also been raised to Tk 100,000, up from Tk 50,000.
The number of beneficiaries in the Mother and Child Support Programme, administered by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, has been increased by 124,000, bringing the total to 1.8952 million. Under this programme, each mother receives a monthly allowance of Tk 850.
Also, the number of beneficiary families under the Food-friendly Programme, managed by the Ministry of Food, has been increased by 500,000, totalling 6.0 million families.