GED places Social Protection Strategy before PM today

The General Economic Division (GED) will apprise the Prime Minister about the drafted National Social Protection Strategy today (Wednesday) under which all poor and vulnerable people are proposed to be brought under the government's cash and food benefit schemes.
GED member Professor Shamsul Alam would give a presentation before PM Sheikh Hasina at her office in the city in presence of some other ministers and high government officials.
"We are working to frame the policy document titled National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS). We will describe the policy document to the PM for getting her opinion," Professor Alam told the FE.
According to the proposed strategy paper, it would take a lifestyle approach where five stages of a human being would be taken into account for providing state benefits.
Now all the people including newborn babies to old-age people under the vulnerable group would get the benefit of the state, Prof Alam said.
The GED in the draft Strategy Paper has suggested providing social benefits to nearly 50 per cent of the total population who will be treated as the vulnerable group in the country.
According to finance ministry, Bangladesh government's allocation for Social Protection Programmes (SPPs) increased from 1.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1998 to 2.5 per cent in FY2011.  
The GED's proposed strategy paper has recommended utilising maximum 3.0 per cent of GDP for the social protection progarmme under the NSPS.
According to the draft NSPS, children (0-4 years), working-age population (15-59yrs), disabled population and senior citizens (59+ yrs) will come under the government's benefit scheme.
A child of 0-4 years of age under the vulnerable group would get Tk 800 per month. The child grant will be limited to two children per family to avoid any adverse implications for the population management policy.
A school stipend of Tk 240 per month for all primary and secondary school children belonging to the poor and vulnerable households would be continued.
Implementing a programme of financial support to vulnerable women (widows, divorced, destitute, single mother, and unemployed single women) and facilitating their participation in the labour market would also be ensured.
Citizen's Pension for citizens who are aged 60 years and above and belong to the poor and vulnerable section of population will be introduced. The monthly rate will be increased to Tk 3,000 for the few people who exceed 90 years, since this will generate significant incentives to care for elderly people.
The disabled children will get benefit of Tk 800 per month and the working age population who are disabled will get Tk 800 per month.
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