DHAKA, Feb 15, 2021 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today announced
that the minimum monthly allowances of the valiant freedom fighters will be
raised to Taka 20,000 from the existing Taka 12,000.
“I think the current monthly allowance of Taka 12,000 is not enough. . .
We will increase the amount to Taka 20,000 bringing the lower slots at one
place,” the premier made the announcement while inaugurating the online
disbursement of freedom fighters’ allowances.
The premier joined the inauguration ceremony virtually from her official
residence Ganabhaban. The programme was held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
The electronic fund transfer (Government to Person- G2P) using Management
Information System (MIS) will allow the freedom fighters to get their
allowances directly to their bank accounts.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has introduced this G2P system for
freedom fighters’ allowance as the gift of Mujib Borsha.
She said from now on, the freedom fighters would receive their allowances
directly.
Earlier, the freedom fighters used to receive the allowance after every
three months through upazila and district level authorities.
Regarding the hike of allowances, the Prime Minister said the government
needs some time to allocate money for this purpose in the national budget,
adding, “But, we will surely do it.”
Currently, the families of martyred war heroes are getting Taka 30,000 per
month while that of war-wounded ones Taka 25,000.
Besides, the families of Bir Shreshtha, the highest gallantry award
winners in the War of Liberation, are getting Taka 35,000 while the Bir Uttam
are receiving Taka 25,000.
In addition, Bir Bikram and Bir Pratik gallantry award winners are
receiving Taka 20,000 and Taka 15,000 respectively, while the rest of the
freedom fighters are receiving Taka 12,000 per month as honorarium.
The Prime Minister noted that except for Bir Shreshtha and Bir Uttam, it
is better to bring all the lower three slots at one place because all had
participated in the Liberation War.
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Kalyan
Trust together will fix it, she added.
Liberation war affairs minister A K M Mozammel Haque and secretary Tapan
Kanti Ghosh also spoke on the occasion.
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah
moderated the event.
An audio-visual presentation on the War of Liberation and freedom fighters
was screened at the outset of the ceremony.
At the function, it was revealed that a total of 205,198 freedom fighters
and their families have been receiving allowances, and in the last five years
Taka 17,000 crore has been spent for freedom fighters’ allowances and others.
Now freedom fighters are receiving two festival allowances and Boishakhi
allowance alongside monthly allowance. The freedom fighters who are alive,
are also receiving victory day allowance.
The Awami League government after assuming power in 1996 had introduced a
monthly allowance of Taka 300 for destitute freedom fighters.
Freedom fighters from Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur district, Fulbari
upazila of Kurigram district, Paikegachha upazila of Khulna district,
Haimchar upazila of Chandpur district and Borolekha upazila of Moulavibazar
district were connected virtually at the function. They expressed their
gratitude and feelings after getting the allowance directly to their bank
accounts.