Freedom Fighter’s Allowance: PM raises it to Tk 20k a month
Nearly 2 lakh to get the benefit after budget
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday announced the increase of valiant freedom fighter allowance to Tk 20,000 from Tk 12,000 a month.
A total of 1, 92,532 freedom fighters will get the financial benefit after the next budget, as it requires allocation, report UNB and BSS.
"I think the current monthly allowance of Tk 12,000 is not enough … We will increase the amount to Tk 20,000 … ," Hasina said.
"But to make it happen, it will require some time as the government also needs time to allocate money for this purpose in the national budget," she said, adding, "But we'll surely do it."
The PM made the announcement while inaugurating the transfer of monthly allowance to 168,000 freedom fighters and their families through electronic fund transfer system of the Bangladesh Bank that uses the management information system (MIS).
Hasina joined the programme held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium from the Gono Bhaban.
Currently, 2,05,206 freedom fighters are getting the allowance. Of them, the families of martyred war heroes are getting Tk 30,000 a month, while that of war-wounded ones are getting Tk 25,000.
The families of the seven Bir Shresthas, the highest gallantry award, are receiving Tk 35,000 while recipients of Bir Uttams get Tk 25,000, Bir Bikram Tk 20,000, and Bir Pratik Tk 15,000. The rest freedom fighters get Tk 12,000.
Wounded freedom fighters get free medical care and those without homes get housing.
A total of 29,000 freedom fighters got houses, while 30,000 houses are being constructed for freedom fighters, sources in the ministry concerned told The Daily Star.
Freedom fighters also get five festival bonuses from the government.
In her address, the PM said, "As long as I'm in the government, freedom fighters without homes and addresses will never happen … .
"We're taking every step from the government to show respect to the valiant freedom fighters."
She also said the government has taken up various types of projects to preserve the memories of the great Liberation War. "The government has taken steps to preserve every mass graveyard that bears signs of atrocities committed by the Pakistan occupation forces and their allies and companions."
Hasina said the government is constructing Muktijoddha Complex in every upazila where there would be a small museum to preserve the materials related to the Liberation War.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh also spoke at the event moderated by Prime Minister's Office Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah.